Monday, March 25 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-03-26 01:58:06 GMT
The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds. Among the new information he unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds. Among the new information M.L. Elrick unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
Monday, March 11 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:16:31 GMT
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again. He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
Fox 2's M.L. Elrick has covered the Kilpatrick incorporated trial from gavel to gavel and was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again. He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
Thursday, March 7 2013 8:14 PM EST2013-03-08 01:14:46 GMT
"That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit's mayor. "That does not exist today." So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again? We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
"That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "That does not exist today." So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again? We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
Tuesday, March 5 2013 6:44 PM EST2013-03-05 23:44:32 GMT
One lawyer made such an impression that weeks after deliberations began in the Kilpatrick incorporated trial, his words still echo in our ears. M.L. Elrick takes a look back at the best of Mike Rataj.
One lawyer made such an impression that weeks after deliberations began in the Kilpatrick incorporated trial, his words still echo in our ears. M.L. Elrick takes a look back at the best of Mike Rataj.
Monday, March 4 2013 6:27 AM EST2013-03-04 11:27:47 GMT
So far, the federal investigation into dirty deals in Detroit has resulted in 25 people either pleading guilty or being convicted of criminal charges. That has M.L. Elirck singing the "Metropolitan Rip-off Blues".
So far, the federal investigation into dirty deals in Detroit has resulted in 25 people either pleading guilty or being convicted of criminal charges. That has M.L. Elirck singing the "Metropolitan Rip-off Blues".
Sunday, February 24 2013 10:23 AM EST2013-02-24 15:23:40 GMT
For the past three days we have been looking for a sign giving us a clue what the jury is thinking. So far, all we have learned is they wanted to know more about an amendment to Tony Soave's sewer lining contract.
For the past three days we have been looking for a sign giving us a clue what the jury is thinking. So far, all we have learned is they wanted to know more about an amendment to Tony Soave's sewer lining contract.
Tuesday, February 12 2013 6:51 PM EST2013-02-12 23:51:29 GMT
FOX 2's M.L. Elrick offers up his take as the jury turns its attention to defense attorneys on the second day of closing arguments in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
FOX 2's M.L. Elrick offers up his take as the jury turns its attention to defense attorneys on the second day of closing arguments in the corruption trial of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Friday, February 1 2013 9:12 AM EST2013-02-01 14:12:10 GMT
For at least the seventh time since testimony began back in September, the Grim Reaper has cast his shadow over people I have met, people I know and people close to me.
Perhaps it's to be expected during this seemingly interminable slog, but for at least the seventh time since testimony began back in September, the Grim Reaper has cast his shadow over people I have met, people I know and people close to me.
DETROIT (AP) -
By ED WHITE Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) -- Large amounts of cash that Kwame Kilpatrick deposited into bank accounts may have been gifts or money that he had saved for years and stored at home, the former Detroit mayor's lawyer suggested Monday.
Prosecutors went right to the money in the first day of evidence in Kilpatrick's corruption trial, showing jurors a $4,000 cash deposit slip he used in 2005. Kilpatrick is charged with committing fraud, bribery, tax crimes and a racketeering conspiracy before resigning from office in 2008.
Internal Revenue Service agent Ron Sauer said the government traced $531,000 in cash transactions from 2001, when Kilpatrick was elected mayor, through 2008. The transactions included deposits, payments on his credit card and cashier's checks, and compared starkly to the few if any cash transactions made at banks before he became mayor.
On cross-examination, defense attorney James Thomas suggested the cash could have been gifts or simply transferred to banks after Kilpatrick had saved it under his bed or in shoes.
"Depending on how big the shoe is," Sauer replied when asked if that was possible.
"Well, this guy's got big feet," Thomas said of the 6'4" former college football player.
Later, Chad Smith, a police officer who was assigned to protect Kilpatrick's wife and children, testified that he once retrieved $1,500 from Kilpatrick's shoes to pay a credit card bill.
Thomas asked another witness if he recalled Don Barden, a late businessman, pledging $5,000 and urging people to give cash gifts at a 2006 birthday party for Kilpatrick. Dwayne Love, an officer assigned to mayoral security at the time, said he doesn't remember the pitch.
Kilpatrick's father, Bernard, city contractor Bobby Ferguson and former Detroit water boss Victor Mercado are also on trial.
The government alleges that Kwame Kilpatrick rigged contracts to benefit Ferguson's construction company and got a share of the spoils. The former mayor also is accused of abusing a nonprofit fund for personal use and shaking down businesses that wanted city work.
A former Kilpatrick bodyguard, police Sgt. Jefferson Travis, said he regularly accompanied him to Ferguson's offices but stayed outside any meetings between the two and never saw money change hands.
"I didn't believe it was shady, no sir," Travis said on cross-examination, referring to the Kilpatrick-Ferguson relationship.
Jurors heard opening statements Friday in a trial that could stretch into next year.
Kilpatrick, 42, a Democrat and son of ex-U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, was a state lawmaker when he was elected mayor in 2001. He resigned in 2008 and pleaded guilty to obstructing justice by lying in a civil case about having sex with an aide. He subsequently served 14 months in prison for violating probation in that case.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
