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Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick (D) resigned Thursday and pled guilty to perjury charges.
His move ends a months-long political drama in the Motor City. Kilpatrick pled guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice by committing perjury, admitting in a four-word statement, “I lied under oath.” The embattled mayor agreed to terms that will require him to spend four months in jail, pay $1 million in restitution, and, most significantly, resign as Mayor of Detroit.Kilpatrick will have to serve on probation for the next five years, during which he is barred from running for public office. The controversy involves Kilpatrick’s lies under oath during a whistleblower trial brought by two former Detroit police officers, who said they were punished for investigating alleged misdeeds by Kilpatrick. In particular, Kilpatrick lied about carrying on an affair with then-Chief of Staff Christine Beatty. That deception was disclosed earlier this year when the Detroit Free Press published transcripts of text messages indicating an intimate relationship between the mayor and Beatty. Despite early calls to resign by city leaders, Kilpatrick held on, causing political reverberations for Democrats throughout the state. In particular, Kilpatrick’s mother, Rep. Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick (D), barely escaped primary challenges from two Detroit-area politicians, both of whom made an issue of the congresswoman’s vociferous support for her son. “While my heart is heavy, I support Mayor Kilpatrick’s decision to do what he believes is best for his family, our family, and the citizens of Detroit,” the congresswoman said in a statement. “I would like to thank all those who have encouraged the Mayor and our family with your prayers, cards, and other expressions of support. I ask that you continue to pray for the Mayor and his family and the city of Detroit during this difficult time.” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) had also convened hearings on Wednesday to probe the possibility of removing Kilpatrick from office. Kilpatrick has also agreed to a deal on outstanding charges for assaulting a police officer who attempted to serve a subpoena to a mayoral associate while at Kilpatrick’s sister’s house. According to the Free Press, Kilpatrick will plead no contest to one felony assault charge, with the sentence to run concurrently with the obstruction of justice sentence. According to the Free Press Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox (R), a long-rumored candidate for the Michigan governorship in 2010, told Republicans assembled in Minnesota about the deal, which was met with cheers and celebration. Cox’s office was responsible for prosecuting the assault charges, while Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy oversaw the obstruction of justice case. Detroit City Council President Ken Cockrel will succeed Kilpatrick as mayor. Monica Conyers, the wife of Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), who has been seen as a combative figure in Detroit politics, will take over as president of the city council.
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