Lawyers for Detroit Mayor Propose Plea Deal
Updated: Lawyers for embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick are proposing a plea deal in which he would resign and plead guilty to two felonies.
Kilpatrick would also perform 300 hours of community service, agree not to run for office for two years, give up pension benefits and pay a six-figure restitution, the Detroit Free Press reports. The mayor would also give up his law license, the Detroit News reports. But prosecutors say any deal would have to include 30 to 90 days in jail.
The jail-time impasse stalled plea talks over the weekend, according to the Detroit News.
At a bond hearing this afternoon, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Groner ruled that Kilpatrick can take off his electronic tether, but can not leave the Detroit area, the Free Press reported. And this evening, the Michigan Court of Appeals will hear arguments Tuesday evening over whether Gov. Jennifer Granholm can hold a hearing on removing Detroit’s mayor.
Kilpatrick has been charged with perjury for allegedly giving false testimony in a police whistle-blower case that resulted in an $8.4 million settlement. Members of the Detroit City Council say they were never told the settlement included a promise to keep secret text messages revealing Kilpatrick’s affair with an aide and possible perjury.
Updated at 4:33 p.m. to post news of the bond hearing and Michigan Court of Appeals hearing.
