Friday, August 8, 2008

Detroit Mayor's legal woes are growing

Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of Detroit, the 11th largest city in the U.S. was jailed for violating a court order that requires him to notify the court before he travels out of the state or country.

Kilpatrick and his former aide, Christine Beatty, are charged with perjury, misconduct and obstruction of justice in a civil case that resulted in a $8.4 million dollar settlement. Mayor Kilpatrick and his former aide are accused of lying about their relationship after investigators discovered sexually charged text messages between Kilpatrick and Beatty. An arraignment is scheduled for August 14th and a court hearing is scheduled for September 3rd.

Kilpatrick traveled to Windsor, Canada on city business on July 23, 2008, but failed to notify the court of his travel plans. Judge Thomas Jackson stated that while he does not understand the scope of the Mayor's responsibilities, he can not allow the court to appear ineffectual. Rules are made to be followed. Kilpatrick was released by Judge Jackson after being required to pay a $50,000 cash dollar bond. The court ordered him to wear an electronic monitor and stated that he is no longer allowed to travel.

Shortly after his release from jail, Kilpatrick was charged by Mike Cox, the Attorney General, with two felony assault charges for shoving a process server into Brian White. White is a sheriff's detective who was present to serve a subpoena to Bobby Williams, a witness and friend of Mayor Kilpatrick. The sheriff employee's hip appears to have been fractured in the confrontation.

Kilpatrick has refused to resign or enter a plea bargain despite numerous requests by voters and city officials to do so. He denies all charges of wrong doing, including the alleged assault against the sheriff detective.

City Council Members submitted a petition to the Governor of the state of Michigan asking to have Kilpatrick removed from office.

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