Kilpatrick Tethered, Under House Arrest Over $2K Gift
DETROIT (WWJ) - Ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been put on a tether and confined to his residence over concerns about cash he received via wire transfer at an area Walmart last month.
WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton says this was a parole violation.
"It doesn't surprised me that the parole people put a GPS tether on him. In fact, it's a little surprising they didn't put him in prison, because they have the authority to do that," said Langton.
"To be honest with you, I'm not sure he's not headed for prison, because I would think that the parole people are still conducting an investigation -- Kwame is not out of the woods yet," Langton said, adding that he believes Kilpatrick should be "very worried."
The Michigan Department of Corrections is investigating a Chesterfield Township Walmart security tape that shows Kilpatrick counting out $2,000 in cash he accepted as a gift from pastor in Chicago. Department of Corrections spokesman Russ Marlan said Kilpatrick failed to report the money as income and not doing that could be a parole violation.
Talking to WWJ Newsradio 950′s Vickie Thomas earlier this week, Kilpatrick called the money gram matter "trivial."
However, he added, "I don't think, Vickie, that it's … something I cannot worry about, being that I'm Kwame Kilpatrick and this is Michigan and Detroit, and the rules are different for me."
Kilpatrick, who moved to Texas two years ago, has reportedly been staying at his mother's house. If that's indeed the case, the home of Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick would be considered his residence for the purposes of the order.
Marlan said he could not confirm an address.
Kilpatrick took to his Twitter account Thursday night to express his feelings about the ruling.
Kilpatrick still owes Detroit more than $800,000 in restitution from a 2008 conviction for obstruction of justice. He lost his job and served prison time for lying on the stand about his affair with an aide.
He is currently on trial in Detroit federal court in a separate case, charged with fraud, bribery, tax crimes and a racketeering conspiracy.
Langton said this probation issue will not affect Kilpatrick's federal corruption trial. "The Michigan Department of Corrections has allowed Kwame Kilpatrick to attend the trial. He can also speak to his lawyers, and he can also do approved work. But he cannot go back to Texas."
