Former Detroit mayor’s plea for leniency falls short, as he gets up to 5 years in prison

Ex-Detroit mayor gets up to 5 years in prison

DETROIT — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to up to five years in prison Tuesday for violating the terms of his probation on an obstruction of justice conviction.

Kilpatrick, 39, asked Judge David Groner to show him compassion during the hearing, but Groner said “that ship has sailed.”

Groner said Kilpatrick would have to serve at least 1½ years in prison, but that he would be credited for 120 days of time served from his original sentence. He is still obligated to pay back the remaining balance of his $1 million debt to the city of Detroit.

Kilpatrick, the father of three young sons, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Groner ruled last month that Kilpatrick failed to report all of his assets and meet other conditions of his probation. In court Tuesday, Groner scolded Kilpatrick for his continued lack of candor about his finances.

“Your continued attempt to cast yourself as the victim, your lack of forthrightness, your lack of contriteness and lack of humility … clearly rehabilitation has failed,” Groner told Kilpatrick after the former mayor spent about 15 minutes explaining why he should be allowed to return to his family in Dallas.

After Groner announced the sentence, a loud, collective gasp rose from many of Kilpatrick’s supporters in the packed courtroom. Kilpatrick appeared shaken.

At issue is $1 million in restitution Kilpatrick owes the city after pleading guilty in 2008 to obstruction of justice. Sexually explicit text messages showed Kilpatrick, a Democrat, had lied under oath about an affair with a staff member.

State Corrections officials suggested Kilpatrick should spend less than a year in county jail. Defense attorneys wanted no jail time, saying it would hamper Kilpatrick’s ability to pay the money he still owes. But prosecutors said two to five years in state prison would be appropriate.

After he was released from jail in February 2009, Kilpatrick found a job as a medical software salesman with Dallas-based Covisint. Since then, he has said he is working on his marriage and trying to be a better father to his three sons. He also has been making $3,000 monthly payments to the city of Detroit, saying he hopes to repay everything he owes.

But prosecutors contend he continues to lie — that Kilpatrick could afford to give more and has intentionally hid assets.

Groner agreed, saying Kilpatrick failed to disclose $240,000 in loans from prominent businessmen. He also said Kilpatrick failed to surrender nearly $23,400 in tax refunds and a share of cash gifts from two people.