September 4, 2008
Posted: September 4th, 2008 01:15 PM ET
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has agreed to resign from office, a prosecutor said Friday.
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has agreed to resign from office, a prosecutor said Friday.

DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) - Embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleaded guilty Thursday to charges resulting from a sex scandal and is to resign from office, a prosecutor said.

The resignation won't take effect for 14 days, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said outside the courthouse.

Kilpatrick will go to jail on October 28, the day of his sentencing, and serve 120 days, she said.

The mayor pleaded guilty in Wayne County Circuit Court to two counts of obstruction of justice.

"I lied under oath in the case of Gary Brown and Harold Nelthrope versus the city of Detroit," Kilpatrick said, reading from a prepared statement.

"I did so with the intent to mislead the court and jury and to impede and obstruct the fair administration of justice."

Circuit Judge David Groner accepted a no-contest plea on an assault charge.

Full story

Filed under: Kwame Kilpatrick


Ito   September 4th, 2008 5:50 pm ET

Kwame is a shame.

He should be in the Big House for a lonnnnng time for using the peoples' money on his sweethearts. He should have a taste of the bitter life.

Moose on the loose   September 4th, 2008 5:02 pm ET

You complain about your boss not doing his job. You notice he's only working to fatten his pockets with big oil payoffs. He fights all the time with the smaller companies instead of the bigger company that has hurt him the most . Your have not received a raise and you may lose your job because the boss is now outsourcing the jobs. You are about to lose your house and boss has so many houses he can't count them. The company you work for has not turned a profit and has low approval ratings. The boss distributes a company wide memo that reads " I really don't know much about the economy." You have put up with his bullying ways for eight long years. Finally your work contract is ending with your boss. Should I continue working for this creep or should I CHANGE employers?

It's that simple America. It's time for a change and YOU know it.

Please don't kill the moose.

anon   September 4th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

And NO ONE is investigating Biden's ties to the credit card and banking industry and the cushy jobs his sons got because of it!

Kim   September 4th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

This is lame. Adultery is guilty from BOTH parties.

McCain is guilty of cheating on his wife and has admitted that it was solely his fault. Get over it and talk about the issues.

Juan   September 4th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

He's a DEMOCRAT isn't he??

Rhoda   September 4th, 2008 3:49 pm ET

Another Obama buddy going down. Joining Alan Hevesi, Sharpe James, Mims Hackett, Norman Clarence and all the other liars and cheats among Democrats in big city governments. Wait for the Chicago machine to get hit.

Ben - Portland, Or   September 4th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Can we find some other word besides "embattled" to describe politicians who are caught with their pants down? Like "redhanded" As in "Redhanded mayor of Detroit..." finally saw the light?

Shari, NY   September 4th, 2008 3:31 pm ET

Shame on you! Go and sin no more!

John   September 4th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

The Mayor lied under oath and committed pergury on multiple accounts. He should have known better, especially for someone that has a license to practice law; which thankfully was taken away from him today.

For those calling Bush and Cheney's head; you might as well do the same for most of those in Washington that voted for the attack on Iraq. There has been nothing proven that they did anything illegal. To say that they murdered millions and deserve to go to jail is just a ludacris statement. You might as well put our troops there too then. Like it or not, they have done nothing illegal (besides Cheney's whistle blower in the CIA leak case).

Christina P   September 4th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

What a waste ... power breeds greed ... multiply him by 1,000 and you've got the White House, the Pentagon, the Capital, etc. Even Palin has her own "power" issues ...

Char-MI   September 4th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

It is a big deal for those of us who live in the Detroit area. It is a relief to finally get some of the mess resolved, although it still might not be over! The corruption in the City of Detroit, is not only effecting the city, but the whole area, and even the entire State of Michigan. I for one am glad to see that this crook out of office. I think the sentence, is too light!

Carl from MI   September 4th, 2008 2:53 pm ET

'John McCain endorsed Kwame Kilpatrick'

The above statement is just as true as saying Obama endorsed him.

I wonder how many Republicans would go off the deep end if the media led with that above statement? It's OK for Republicans to dish it out like a bully, but they always go crying to their mommies when they get it dished out right back in their faces!!

WAKE UP, AMERICA!!! VOTE SMART.... NOT SENILE!!!

RealityKing   September 4th, 2008 2:47 pm ET

The kind of leader Obama is proud to call a supporter...

Gary Chandler in Canada   September 4th, 2008 2:42 pm ET

question is, at what point if at all was he informed of his Miranda rights?
If somebody can NOT prove someone had an affair OR did steroids, which are not good things to do, if they can NOT force someone to incriminate themselves, WHY should they be allowed to CREATE and a hearing and FORCE people to testify against themselves or face perjury!?
Same with what was her name? Martha Stewart. If she had said 'I refuse to answer on the grounds it may incriminate me, she gets a fine. trapped into answering a hearing she gets jail for perjury.
It seems prosecutors have developed magic carpet to ride above their inabilities to get the goods on the ground.

Barbara   September 4th, 2008 2:35 pm ET

You people have gotten so skewed

HE endorsed Obama

Obama DID NOT endorse him

shan   September 4th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

this guy should have resigned a long time ago. he's wasted a lot of time and tax money!!

Peter of Oregon   September 4th, 2008 2:31 pm ET

He did the crime, now he must serve the time...

Shannon in California   September 4th, 2008 2:27 pm ET

This is something he should have done a long time ago.

milehiboy   September 4th, 2008 2:25 pm ET

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick ...... the Obama endorsed mayor. Enough said. Palin Power!!!

Slappy White   September 4th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

Ten bucks says the dirtbag got in his absentee vote for Obama before the plea deal.

Charla in TX   September 4th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

what took this fool so long? is he a republican??

Pat F   September 4th, 2008 2:24 pm ET

It wasn't a sex scandal, and it wasn't about inappropriate texting. It was multiple counts of PERJURY!

The City settled a whistle-blowers lawsuit by two cops who were fired by Kwame for $8.5 million. The cops said they were fired because they knew about the Mayor's affair with his chief of staff. Both the Mayor and the chief of staff denied, under oath, that they were having an affair. The text messages proved both that the two were having an affair and that the cops were fired precisely to cover that up.

CNN=Certainly Not News.

Mike, Syracuse NY   September 4th, 2008 2:21 pm ET

Enlightened Voter:
A. Kilpatrick committed perjury under oath.
B. No one has indicted Bush/Cheney, including your precious Do-Nothing Democratic Congress led by Bozo's cousins Reid and Pelosi.
C. In America it takes more than the pychotic rants of rabid liberals to send someone to jail. Maybe you Demo-Nazis should get your Constitutional lawyer candidate to explain it to you using small words.

Ron L   September 4th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

I REPEAT... He got in trouble because he gave away
8 MILLION TAX PAYERS DOLLARS
in an effort to cover the affair.
IT WAS NOT THE AFFAIR!!!
IT WAS THE 8 MILLION DOLLARS!!!

Mike   September 4th, 2008 2:20 pm ET

When I was a GI serving in Alaska. The party that Palins husband belongs to was regarded as a Radical anti American Separatist group.
Gov. Palin is not a member in her husbands party but she attends their conventions and gives supporting speeches. If I had that type of affiliation I doubt I could have gotten a security clearance let alone run for VP.

Hockey Moms for Obama   September 4th, 2008 2:19 pm ET

America needs to be cleaned up!!!

********************HOCKEY MOMS FOR OBAMA!!!!!*********************

joe   September 4th, 2008 2:18 pm ET

I love comming to the CNN blog because it is like a trip down the rabbit hole. This is a story about a disgraced mayor of Detriot and most people on this blog have managed to point the finger at the republicans, Palin, black injustice etc... WOW!!! you people really need to get a life.

Lee   September 4th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

As a former resident of Michigan I am glad to see this guy GO! Too bad Coleman Young was around so long too. Detroit is a corrupt and lawless city. Citizens need to pick a good replacement from their own ranks. Do not select someone that is already at City Hall. They are all just as bad.

B   September 4th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

So sad :(
He was the guest speaker at my graduation last year. Oh well, moving on.

OBAMA '08

Barbara   September 4th, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Get rid of all politicians that lie lie lie lie lie – and then expect us to cater to them.

Get them out of office !!!!!!! We don't need lies, distortions, un-truths, hate and smear. Clean 'em out !!!

Herman In LA   September 4th, 2008 2:12 pm ET

What happen to the white guy Eliot Spitzer in New York that got caught up in the sex scandles?

Sounds like double standards to me...

Gary Chandler in Canada   September 4th, 2008 2:11 pm ET

I don't get how the right to NOT incriminate oneself is being breached in America!?
When these sports figures get called to 'hearings', they are FORCED to answer questions that may incriminate themselves, then they done for perjury.
I think ALL charges of perjury should not be allowed against Kilpatrick. He was having an 'affair', which is NOT great, but the I cannot figure why a person should be FORCED to testify against themselves.
If somebody can prove somebody did steroids or had an affair, but to give them the choice of admitting or facing perjury is beyond the PALE.
They use a sidewinder to take away the right to no incriminate oneself.
The guy gets 4 years, 1 million dollar fine, loss of law license, for having an affair!!!??

VA Voter   September 4th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

And yes, it was a text scandal. He was caught sending inappropriate text messages via Blackberry to a co-worker.

Unfortunately, you can do the same thing and worse with cigars and the like in the highest office in the land and only get impeached and not convicted, but if you're Black you go to jail.

Sad.

Greg Pottstown, Pa.   September 4th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

serve 120 days but get out after 2 or 3 days.This man was going to do good things according to Obama. I don't even want to know who would be on his cabinet.

Bob   September 4th, 2008 2:09 pm ET

I hope that Gov. Palin does not fall in the footsteps of Kwame and Edwards. The Enquirer released a story on Sept.3 alledging Marital Infidelity between Gov. Palin and a business partner of Mr. Palin. The Republicans have threatened a law suit but the Enquirer has not backed down and said a follow up story is coming. When the Enquirer told the truth about the Edwards affair. No media would touch it until after the vote. Yet the Enquirer was proved correct. I hope this is not going to happen again. All of this scandel is depressing.

Ron L   September 4th, 2008 2:07 pm ET

WHAT IS WRONG WITH CNN...This is not about sex. This is about a Mayor doing an end run and making a 8 MILLION dollar settlement to hide the affair. The REAL issue is the settlement, not the sex. If he had not done the settlement, he would not have had to go through this.

Nelson Colorado Springs Co   September 4th, 2008 2:05 pm ET

Well Well DO THE CRIME, DO THE TIME. GO OBAMA

Felons for Obama   September 4th, 2008 2:04 pm ET

Kwame, we missed you in Denver last week. Good luck.

Everyman   September 4th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

He'll be re-elected when he gets out, just ask Marion Barry.

proud army and navy mom   September 4th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Move along people nothing to see here.....Just another Democrat lying under oath about an affair.

Oh wait I am sorry that is his personal life we should really leave him alone

The Bush Twins : George and John   September 4th, 2008 2:01 pm ET

Have to agree with ENLIGHTENED VOTER'S comment. Well said.

Pat F   September 4th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

Spencer from VA, I am a Republican from Detroit, and I am not jumping for joy. This is just more shame brought on by corrupt Democrats.

Only a Democrat would jump for joy at the humiliation of his city. Spencer, stay in VA and keep your comments about Detroit to your ignorant self.

Robert   September 4th, 2008 1:59 pm ET

This was brought about by the Democratic governor of Michigan calmly initiating a hearing on whether to remove him from office.

Cleanly, diplomatically but totally effectively, we Democrats know how to remove the embarrasments in our party.

I am thrilled he is gone.

Meanwhile, Larry Craig is still a US Senator.

William   September 4th, 2008 1:55 pm ET

I just wish men would think more about the issues and less about the pleasures of life.

proud army and navy mom   September 4th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Just another day at the office for the Democrats........ Should have been Obama next to Rezko

michael vito   September 4th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

what is the deal with the BET channel showing the dems convention and not showing the republican conventon, i think that is very bias what there are no black republicans, I refuse to watch that station. I am happy palin ripped him up, my daughter could run the country better than obama,he is an empty suit

People make no sense   September 4th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Didn't Clinton do the same thing? What's the name of the jail that he went too?

Helen   September 4th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Well, he is in Bubble's hand name. (new cell mate)

People make no sense   September 4th, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Didn't Clinton do the same thing?

DEE   September 4th, 2008 1:51 pm ET

Sad but so.

Derrick - Texas   September 4th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

And somehow, the blog trolls will make this Obama's fault.

Chitown   September 4th, 2008 1:50 pm ET

Could this be fore-shadowing for Barack. HMM, they support each other?????

randy   September 4th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Another dirt ball cheating on his wife democrate.

Eunice   September 4th, 2008 1:47 pm ET

Is he a democrat too?

Mike, Syracuse NY   September 4th, 2008 1:46 pm ET

How is it that when the mayor of a major American city pleads guilty to 2 felonies it's NOT political news? Spencer from VA, no one 'knocked him down'. He did it to himself. I guess he gets to join Marion Barry in the mayor hall of shame. Don't worry, in 5 years when he can run again, the voters of Detriot will probably put him back in office just like Barry.

Carmon Minneapolis MN   September 4th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

And yet Bush and Chaney will never even be tried for their crimes

Xango 08 & 12   September 4th, 2008 1:45 pm ET

I bet the abuse of power by Palin wont sent her to jail, first off
she is white
she is republican
she is mccain vp
so the evidence will be destroyed

what a system we have

that is Republican chosen justice

Ilona Hussein Proud Canadian   September 4th, 2008 1:43 pm ET

IS IT MY IMAGINATION, OR DID CNN"S HEADLINE READ........

...TEXT SCANDAL?

WAS IT TEXT THAT WAS THE SCANDAL, OR SEX SCANDAL?

Candy West Virginia   September 4th, 2008 1:42 pm ET

Sarah palin lied in trooper gate, will she go to jail too? Or will the repuglicans fix that one?

Enlightened Voter   September 4th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

If he can go to jail then why aren't bush and cheyney buried beneath it? This man gets sent to jail for lying and bush and cheyney lied too but they also murdered over 5,000 soldiers, how is it they are not in jail too?

Luis   September 4th, 2008 1:40 pm ET

See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya...........................................say Hi to Obama when he joins ya, playa, LOL :)

Tom in Delaware   September 4th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

Isn't it interesting that this CNN Article fails to make mention of the Political Party affiliation of the guilty mayor.

At least it was a Democratic Governor that had to interceed to police their own...remind you of anyone?

J UAN CARLOS   September 4th, 2008 1:38 pm ET

H OW ,,,,,,,,A B O U T,,,,,,,,,F O R F E I T T I NG,,,,,,,,,P E N S I ON,,,,,,,,,,

A N D,,,,,,,,,,A N Y,,,,,,,,,A L L,,,,,,,,,,C I T Y,,,,,,,,, I N C O M E ? ? ?

W H E N,,,,,,,,,,Y O U,,,,,,,,A N D ,,,,,,,,,,I,,,,,,,,,,,G O,,,,,,,,,,,T H R U,,,,,,,,,,A ,,,,,,,,

R E D,,,,,,,,,,L I G H T,,,,,,,,,,W E ,,,,,,,,, P A Y ,,,,,,,,, I N,,,,,,,, K I N D

Mike   September 4th, 2008 1:37 pm ET

Has a Black man, it sad to see another one go to jail on something so STUPID!!

the real Abby   September 4th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

Thank God this is over. We don’t need the distractions. The citizens of Michigan need to concentrate on getting their jobs back.

Obama- Biden 08

Mark   September 4th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Politican should be held accountable for thier actions, I hate this had to happen but we elect these people to represent the concerns of the people and not to hold office for thier personal agenda.

I'm tired of seeing them abuse the offices in which they hold and thinking they are above the law. If I break the law I go to jail it's that simpe.

Doris,Memphis, TN   September 4th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

This is very sad. I hearing that another sex scandal will be coming out next week.

Wiletta, MN   September 4th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

He's a spoiled little boy who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar. Take his sorry face off this post and let us discuss real issues CNN. This story is for the birds, or should I say the pigs.

Kelby from Houston, TX   September 4th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

He is guilty as sin and I do believe he had that stripper killed. However I don't really consider this politcal news and in an election year this story really does not belong on the ticker.
I smell CNN alterior motives here. They might be trying to stir the pot with this one

McCain = Bush   September 4th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Could be Palin if the troopergate investigation ever gets finished...just sayin..

Where is Colin Powell? Something tells me that he won't be able to endorse McCain

Proud to be American   September 4th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

It is about time... look if you are going to go into office and take tax dollars do your job!!!!! be ethical ..... gosh what you do in the dark comes out in the light.....

June, SC   September 4th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

As an African American I am appalled that this man is even mentioned on a post. Who cares about him? He has an affair on his wife, and then tries to turn his defense into a Civil Rights Movement. I couldn't care less about this man. Dr. King said to judge someone by the content of their character and everyone knows that this mayor's character is lacking.

In a year when we are so proud of Barack and Hillary, CNN has to remind us that some people should never run for a political office. Let this guy save the drama for his momma, Americans don't care.

Get back to issues that concern us CNN, not this soap opera mess.

Ellie   September 4th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

He's NOT in jail yet? Good Lord, no one cares about this fool. Please, don't waste our time on this idiot. I hope they have a double-wide orange jumpsuit to fit his big behind. That's a BIG hubba right there.

chip   September 4th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Precisely why we need fresh blood in politics. Citizen representatives drawn from a pool of registered voters should suffice.

Term limits. Career politicians all turn sour after they figure out how to abuse the system to enrich themselves. Both sdes of the aisle are insanely guilty of this. Where's my torch and pitchfork?

Kim, Charlotte, NC   September 4th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

"I lied under oath in the case of Gary Brown and Harold Nelthrope versus the city of Detroit," Kilpatrick said, reading from a prepared statement. "I did so with the intent to mislead the court and jury and to impede and obstruct the fair administration of justice."

Enough said. You must pay for what you did. Not to mention the 2 strippers who were at the Manoogian mansion ( one dead, and one missing) since the break in you corruptness.

You are an insult to me.

Spencer from VA   September 4th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

I'm sure Republicans are jumping with joy. This country loves when a black man with power gets knocked down. Sorry guys. That won't happen to Sen. Obama.

WOWWOW   September 4th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

I T ' S-–T O O---B A D--T HA T--H E--S A C R I F I C E D---

T H E---C I T I Z EN S---A T ---T H E--E X P E N S E---

O F--–H I S---A P P E T I T E--–S H O U L D--–B E--–

J O H N-–E D W AR D S ' -–C E L L M A T E

James in Ohio   September 4th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

Finally. This man is a disgrace. Btw, isn't he a Obama supporter who Obama said will do great things. Talk about lack of judgement.

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