Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights
The federal government, using the same law that it uses to prosecute mafia cases, has named Kilpatrick's alleged scheme the "Kilpatrick Enterprise."
The indictment charges that Kilpatrick -- dating back to his time in the Michigan state legislature -- used his influence to rig contracts. One contractor, Bobby Ferguson, was allegedly given tens of millions of dollars for work that he never performed or for contracts that were awarded through extortion.
Kilpatrick allegedly deposited $500,000 in unexplained cash deposits to his account while his father allegedly deposited $600,000.
The probe, officials say, turned up no evidence of corruption from U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Kwame's mother.
"The defendants used the power and authority of Kwame Kilpatrick's public offices to unjustly enrich not only themselves but their families and their associates at the expense of taxpayers and donors," said Barbara L. McQuade, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The New York Times reports:
If convicted, the defendants could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison, Ms. McQuade said. The charges include bribery, extortion, fraud and racketeering. The five were indicted under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is used to fight organized crime and allows the government to seek stiffer penalties. Fourteen people, including the former City Council president, Monica Conyers, have already pleaded guilty to felonies in the case.
Kilpatrick's attorney proclaimed his innocence:
"We look forward to fighting this case. I've talked to my client, who is upbeat and is up for the fight," Thomas said. "We expect that he's going to be vindicated at trial as well," said attorney James Thomas.
It's such a shame to see people who are elected to help others abuse their power.
Kilpatrick was elected with great excitement in Detroit. The idea was that his youthful energy would make a difference in a city where his mother is well-known.
On Wednesday, former New York state Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. was accused of embezzling half a million dollars from a chain of Bronx health clinics, which served the poor and disadvantaged, and using them for lavish parties and meals.
In the California community of Bell, where one in six people live in poverty, the mayor and town manager, along with six other officials, were arrested for giving themselves lavish salaries to the tune of $5.5 million. The town manager made $800,000 per year. The district attorney there called it "corruption on steroids."
In Newark, N.J., the last three mayors dating back more than 40 years have faced corruption charges.
In Detroit, the probe has already snared 14 people.
This is why it is important for all citizens, but especially those in disadvantaged communities, to not take their votes for granted. In disadvantaged communities, criminals see that people are so occupied with the basics of surviving that they are not paying attention. They also see apathy.
If people paid more attention, though, they could make the government work for them.
Getting out to vote is important, but name recognition should not be the sole standard for voting for someone.
Voters should take a serious look at what each candidate is proposing to do for the area they want to represent, how long has the incumbent been in office and what has he or she accomplished during that time?
The old idea that voting doesn't matter because every politician is corrupt is simply not true. The decisions that the politicians you elect make can have a critical effect on your life.
These corruption cases hurt people who need help the most. Instead of millions of dollars lining the pockets of politicians, that is money that should be used to help the community.