Detroit -- Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison this morning by Wayne Circuit Judge David Groner who said the former mayor engaged in "contemptible behavior" by hiding assets from the court.
Groner chastised Kilpatrick before imposing the sentence, which included a minimum of 18 months in prison. Several people in the courtroom gasped when the judge handed down the sentence.
"Probation is no longer an option. The terms of your earlier probation no longer apply; that ship has sailed," Groner said. "This is all because of the actions of you, Mr. Kilpatrick. You were convicted ... all because you lied under oath. That lie ... was part of a broader attempt to cover up your misdeeds while serving as mayor. You challenged this court's authority," Groner said. "You attempted to utilize semantics and exploit loopholes. The broader context of this issue is that your family living expenses -- including living in a million-dollar home, driving a brand new Escalade and purchasing elective surgery for your wife -- you have made it perfectly clear that it's more important to pacify your wife than comply with my orders."
Groner said Kilpatrick will get 120 days credit, meaning his minimum term would be 14 months. That would put him in a Michigan prison.
Kilpatrick was handcuffed in the court and led away. |