Feds say imprisoned ex-Detroit mayor used charity as a personal piggybank in and out of office

Ex-Detroit mayor indicted on fraud, tax charges

DETROIT — A prominent Detroit pastor says the indictment of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is another chapter in a “sad saga” that has gone on too long.

Kilpatrick was charged Wednesday with fraud and tax crimes. Federal prosecutors accuse him of enriching himself and others by milking $640,000 from a tax-exempt charity that he created as a way to enhance Detroit and improve the city’s image.

The indictment says Kilpatrick instead used it to pay for yoga, golf, camp for his kids, travel, a video about his family, cars, political polling and much more. Defense lawyer James Thomas says he’ll fight the charges.

The Rev. Horace Sheffield says the Kilpatrick “story needs to end.” The former mayor is in state prison in an unrelated criminal case.