Traverse City Record-Eagle

Michigan

September 22, 2012

Corruption trial opens for Kilpatrick

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DETROIT (AP) — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick repeatedly stuffed his bank account and paid off credit cards with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, the illegal fruit of a crooked politician who took bribes and left taxpayers "holding the short end of the stick," a prosecutor told jurors Friday at the start of a corruption trial.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Chutkow gave jurors a 40-minute preview of what they'll see and hear in the months ahead in a case that could send Kilpatrick to prison for more than 10 years.

He described Kilpatrick as a young, enthusiastic state lawmaker of modest means who was elected mayor in 2001 and then set off on a sweeping scheme to enrich himself through extortion and bribes. Also on trial are his father, Bernard, and the ex-mayor's best friend, Bobby Ferguson.

Chutkow said Kilpatrick deposited more than $200,000 in cash in his bank account and paid his credit card bills with another $280,000 in cash. The prosecutor said more than $60,000 in cash was spent on custom-made suits.

"It didn't come from his payroll check. It did not come from a rich relative, and it didn't come from savvy investments," Chutkow told the jury.

The first trial witnesses will be called Monday.

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