Free Press Sues To Get Kwame Kilpatrick Mugshot
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The Detroit Free Press is suing the federal government over its refusal to release the mugshots of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and two other people.
The newspaper says the U.S. Justice Department is ignoring court rulings dating to the 1990s that treat photos of criminal defendants as public documents.
The Free Press wants photos of Kilpatrick, his father Bernard and a friend, Bobby Ferguson, when they were charged with corruption.
A decision in favor of the Free Press likely would compel the government to resume releasing mugshots of defendants in other criminal cases.
The government has said releasing photos would violate privacy, despite court decisions to the contrary. There was no immediate comment Monday from the Justice Department.
Bond was denied for Kilpatrick, who has had some complaints about his stay at the federal prison in Milan while awaits sentencing. Kilpatrick transported elsewhere for private two-per-week physical therapy sessions for a knee injury, but isn't happy that the prison doesn't have the ice or exercise equipment his knee needs.
Kilpatrick was convicted of fixing contracts, accepted bribes and abusing a nonprofit fund, enjoying a posh lifestyle while his constituents suffered.
Bobby Ferguson also remains behind bars. Bernard Kilpatrick is out on bond.
No sentencing date has been set.
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