Ex-Detroit mayor convicted of extortion, bribery, and racketeering.
This morning, the jury announced its verdict in the United States v. Kwame Kilpatrick, et al, Case No. CR-10-20403. The ex-Detroit mayor, along with his father, Bernard Kilpatrick, and contractor Bobby Ferguson, were charged in a 45-count Indictment. The Government alleged that Kilpatrick used his position as mayor of Detroit to assure Ferguson received contracts for over $80 million of city work. In return, the Government alleged that Kilpatrick received kickbacks from Ferguson. Additionally, Kilpatrick and his father were accused of filing false tax returns.
After weeks of deliberation, the jury found Kwame Kilpatrick guilty of 24 of the 30 counts he was charged with, including racketeering, extortion, mail fraud, wire fraud, filing a false tax return and bribery. He was acquitted of three charges and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on an additional three charges. Ferguson was convicted of 9 of the 11 counts he was charged with. Kilpatrick’s father was found guilty of just one count—submitting a false tax return. A copy of the verdict form is available here.
The Court set a hearing for later this afternoon to determine whether the defendants will be released on bond pending their sentencing hearings.


