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Former U.S. congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick exits the Theodore Levin Federal U.S. Courthouse in Detroit, Monday, March 11, 2013. Her son, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted Monday of corruption charges and then sent to jail to await his prison sentence in yet another dramatic setback for a man who once was among the nation's youngest big-city leaders. Jurors convicted Kilpatrick of a raft of crimes, including racketeering conspiracy, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years behind bars. Kilpatrick's long-time contractor friend, Bobby Ferguson was found guilty of 9 of 11 racketeering and extortion counts. Kwame Kilpatrick's father, Bernard Kilpatrick was convicted of 1 of 4 counts, including filing a false tax return.


"Kwame Kilpatrick didn't lead the city. He looted the city," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said in victory.








Detroit's woes were decades in the making. But Kilpatrick's crimes certainly fueled perceptions that he and his staff were far adrift, selfishly lining their pockets, while the city slipped even further.


The current mayor, Dave Bing, said the verdict would allow the city to move from "this negative chapter in Detroit's history."

Andre Falconer, a 43-year-old plumber, said Kilpatrick is yet another politician who betrayed the public.

"Everybody should be held responsible for what they do," Falconer said. "Kilpatrick's case doesn't reflect on Detroit, but reflects on his inability to perform the tasks he was elected to do. He didn't have the maturity."

McQuade hopes the case means a new day for the city.

"I hope it sends an important message ... so that businesses will want to come do business here. So that honest politicians will want to serve as the mayor here. So that people will want to work for city government without fear of being compromised," the prosecutor told reporters.




"He's a pretty strong individual. He doesn't show his emotions very easily," Thomas said when asked how Kilpatrick was holding up. 

Kilpatrick's father, Bernard, also was charged as part of the racketeering conspiracy. The jury, however, couldn't reach a consensus and convicted him only of submitting a false tax return. The Kilpatricks hugged twice after the verdict, with the son appearing to console his sobbing 71-year-old dad.

Kwame Kilpatrick, who now lives near Dallas, declined to testify. He has long denied any wrongdoing and even declared before trial that he wasn't going to prison. Thomas told jurors that his client had access to loads of money because city workers and political supporters showered him with cash during holidays and birthdays.






AP reporters Jeff Karoub and Corey Williams contributed to this story.


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