Kwame Kilpatrick, ex-Detroit mayor, sentenced to 28 years in prison for corruption charges

(CBS/AP) DETROIT - Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been sentenced to 28 years in prison for corruption that turned city hall into a pay-to-play parlor.

Kilpatrick was convicted earlier this year of two dozen crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, bribery and extortion. There was evidence of shakedowns, kickbacks and strong-arm tactics to reaped tens of thousands of dollars and other benefits from people who wanted city business.

According to CBS Detroit, Judge Nancy Edmunds said, "I think everyone understands Mr. Kilpatrick was convicted of running a criminal enterprise."

The sentence was a victory for prosecutors, who had recommended Kilpatrick serve at least 28 years in prison, while defense attorneys argued for no more than 15 years.

The station reports Kilpatrick said before his sentencing, "I really, really, really messed up." He said he takes full responsibility for all his actions, including his extramarital affair.

The former mayor reportedly said in his unusually humble speech, that he apologizes to Detroit citizens for abandoning them and leaving them like he did. He ended his speech by saying he was "incredibly remorseful."

The 43-year-old Democrat served as mayor for nearly seven years and quit office in 2008 after a different scandal involving sexually explicit text messages and an extramarital affair

Prosecutors said in a court filing last week, "He created a 'pay-to-play' system for the provision of city goods and services, which compromised vast swaths of city government, including the water and sewer system, the convention center, the pension system, casino developments and recreation centers," adding, "City government essentially became up for grabs for the right price."

The U.S. Attorney in Detroit also wants Kilpatrick and his co-defendant Bobby Ferguson to pay $9.6 million in restitution, according to the station.