The scandalous fall of a promising political changer intercepted by lust and greed.
Kwame Kilpatrick’s position of power and influence assisted in further destroying a decaying city. Once vibrant as the Motor City and the hottest soul music scene of the 60’s forever affectionately known as Motown, the home of music legends like Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Temptations, Mary Wells and countless others. Detroit has been marred by drugs, crime, a high unemployment rate and an 18 billion dollar debt causing the city to file a historic bankruptcy.
Instead of programs that would help build revenue for the city, establish a demand for jobs, training the unemployed, tourism attractions, rebuilding dilapidated housing to place the homeless and rebuilding the property value. The former Major worked selfishly to secure his own financial future at the risk of voters who put him into office.
Needless to say, no one person could single-handedly bring Detroit to its knees. More political leaders and business figures attacked the social and economic structure of the lost city … Detroit.
Convicted of 24 counts of corruption including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, fraud and countless others. The 43-year-old former Mayor fixed deals and accepted cutbacks. Named by federal agents as the “Kilpatrick Enterprise,” Kwame Kilpatrick accepts responsibility, and 28 years on federal charges
“I’m ready to go so the city can move on,” Kilpatrick told the judge. “The people here are suffering, they’re hurting. A great deal of that hurt I accept responsibility for.”
