Father Of Ex-Detroit Mayor Convicted On Tax Charge
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The father of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been convicted of submitting a false tax return and acquitted of some other charges.
Bernard Kilpatrick declined to comment Monday outside of federal court in Detroit after the jury returned its verdict.
The jury couldn't reach a verdict on a racketeering conspiracy charge against Bernard Kilpatrick. He was acquitted on another tax charge and an attempted extortion charge.
Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted of racketeering conspiracy -- punishable by up to 20 years in prison -- as well as multiple other corruption charges. He's expected to appeal.
Reporting from the courthouse, WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting said emotions were raw in the courtroom after the verdicts were read.
Sweeting aaid Bernard Kilpatrick broke down in tears as he hugged his son.
"You could hear him sobbing audibly as he tried to comfort his son, and it turned out his son started comforting him because of his overwhelming emotion at the verdict
Kwame Kilpatrick was portrayed during a five-month trial as an unscrupulous politician who took bribes, rigged contracts and lived far beyond his means while in office until fall 2008.
The younger Kilpatrick and former Detroit contractor Bobby Ferguson, also convicted of racketeering, have been remanded to jail.
Bernard Kilpatrick remains free on personal bond until sentencing.
MORE: Kilpatrick Verdict: Guilty Of Racketeering
Verdict In Kwame Kilpatrick Case: Charge By Charge
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