Before I launch into my rant on why I feel the 28 years was justified and think he might have gotten off a bit light, let’s get you caught up to speed on Kwame Kilpatrick and the ills he highlights in the city of Detroit and the political spectrum.
This past Thursdays was the sentencing date for the former Mayor of Detroit who was brought up on corruption chargers 7 months ago. He took office when he was just 31 years old in 2002 as the youngest elected Mayor in Detroit’s history. People were proud to see a young, black man represent the future and hope of a struggling city, but Slimey, I mean Kwame, was not good to the people or the city.
Kilpatrick was convicted on a wide range of public corruption charges, racketeering and conspiracy, all from Detroit’s City Hall. He directed millions of dollars to himself, family, friends, and business interest while the City of Detroit struggled financially.
“I’m ready to go so the city can move on,” Kilpatrick told the judge. “The people here are suffering, they’re hurting. A great deal of that hurt I accept responsibility for.”
In March, Kilpatrick, 43, was convicted of racketeering conspiracy, fraud, extortion and tax crimes. The government called it the “Kilpatrick enterprise,” a yearslong scheme to shake down contractors and reward allies. He was doomed by his own text messages, which revealed efforts to fix deals for a pal, Bobby Ferguson, an excavator who got millions of dollars in city work through the water department.
Contractors said they were forced to take on Ferguson as a partner or risk losing lucrative deals. The government alleged that he in turn shared cash with Kilpatrick.
Agents who pored over bank accounts and credit cards said Kilpatrick spent $840,000 beyond his salary during his time as mayor. Defense attorneys tried to portray the money as generous gifts from political supporters who opened their wallets for birthdays or holidays.
The government said Kilpatrick also tapped a nonprofit fund, which was created to help distressed Detroit residents, to pay for yoga, camps for his kids, golf clubs and travel.
“A man with the charisma and ability of Mr. Kilpatrick chose to use his talents on personal aggrandizement and enrichment when he had the potential to do so much for the city,” Judge Nancy Edmunds said before imposing the sentence.
Why do I believe Kwame Kilpatrick got what he deserved?
BECAUSE HE IS A CRIMINAL and the worse kind of criminal at that. He is a criminal that poses as a friend of the people, hugs them, while he has his hands in the wallets and purses robbing them blind. The City of Detroit was struggling when he took office and when he left. The only one’s that were not during his 7 year run as Mayor of the city was himself, family and friends because he directed millions to them.
I don’t believe black people should stand up, whine, and cry in defense of this criminal. $##@% HIM! That was his stance on the people of Detroit, $#E#@ THEM!
The state of corruption in politics in this country is out of control and we continue to bury our head on these issues and act like things are cool. Well, they are not. People are going into politics for one reason these days, TO GET PAID! That is just the sad fact. Not many are in it for the people, they are in it for the pockets of themselves, their friends, and their families.
Once in office, the Mayor, elected official, depending on their level, has access to make important decisions on how millions and billions of dollars are going to allocated and who is going to be the beneficiaries. This is the reason our politicians are running for office from the local levels to the White House. And sorry, if you haven’t realized this yet, then you are a fool. I’m tired of sugar coating these things that need to be taken straight with no chaser.
The sad thing is WE, the people, are well aware of this, but don’t have the balls, intelligence, time or courage to do a damn thing about it.
Personally, i’m glad Kilpatrick got 28 years, I just hope more of these slime balls are arrested and put into jails. Hopefully, if we clean up politics from these individuals, the next generation will be able to govern with integrity, honesty, and with a mind for the people, not their pockets.
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