Legal Commentary

Kilpatrick Pleads, Resigns

By TChris

Kwame Kilpatrick has resigned as mayor of Detroit. Kilpatrick, who was facing a number of felony charges arising out of lies he told about an extramarital affair with an aide and other improper actions he took to keep the affair secret, resigned as a condition of a plea agreement to resolve those charges.

He agreed to plead guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice, pay restitution to the city of $1 million, give up his law license, forfeit his state pension and serve 120 days in the Wayne County jail. His resignation is to take effect within 14 days. All other charges were dismissed, and the judge scheduled sentencing for Oct. 28.

Detroit has been even more dysfunctional than usual since the Kilpatrick scandal became public. Now that this chapter in the city's history has ended, Detroit has a chance to make a new beginning. The Detroit City Council president will take over until a new mayor is elected.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on September 04, 2008 (boomark / email).