Hip Hop Mayor Charged - Refuses To Step Down
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been charged with perjury and a number of other counts. But the so-called "hip hop mayor" refuses to step down from office. Apparently, it is going to take some jail time to get rid of the guy.
DETROIT - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was charged with perjury and other offenses Monday — and got a stern lecture about the importance of telling the truth — after a trove of raunchy text messages contradicted his sworn denials of an affair with his chief aide.
The 37-year-old "Hip-Hop Mayor" who brought youth and vitality to the job in this struggling city of 900,000 could get up to 15 years in prison for perjury alone and would be automatically expelled from office if convicted.
Ignoring mounting demands that he step down, Kilpatrick said: "I look forward to complete exoneration once all the facts have been brought forth. I will remain focused on moving this city forward."
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy brought charges of perjury, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and misconduct against the popular but polarizing mayor. In announcing the charges, she delivered something of a civics lesson on the importance of telling the truth under oath.
"Some have suggested that the issues in this case are personal or private," said Worthy, a Democrat like the mayor. "Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, people's lives were ruined, the justice system severely mocked and the public trust trampled on."
She added: "This case is about as far from being a private matter as one can get."
Kudos to Kym Worthy for standing up for what's right here. Obviously, Kilpatrick thinks he can continue to get away with his behavior. One hopes fifteen years or so will make Detroit forget his very name.
By Mwalimu Daudi, Monday, 24 March , 2008 @ 7:02 pm
How long do you suppose it will be before the MSM starts to compare Worthy to Ken Starr?
By Larry Sheldon, Monday, 24 March , 2008 @ 7:21 pm
I wonder what party they belong to.Oh. Wait! I does not say "Republican", which it would if they were.So there is a clue. I’ll work on it.
By Mockinbird, Tuesday, 25 March , 2008 @ 12:18 pm
So I guess he’ll be working in Non Fiction at the prison library.
By martian, Tuesday, 25 March , 2008 @ 12:26 pm
"Obviously, Kilpatrick thinks he can continue to get away with his behavior."
Why not? Slick Willie got away with exactly the same thing - committing perjury in regard to a sexual liaison. Clinton set the bar for how politicians who lie about sex in court should be treated - and he didn’t even have the "race card" to play. You can bet before this is over Kwame will play it if it looks like he’s losing. I’m just surprised MoveOn.org hasn’t stepped in yet with their famous rallying cry, "It’s just sex, Move On!"