"Kwame Malik Kilpatrick, the 72nd mayor of Detroit from 2002 to 2008, was a prominent Democratic politician. His career ended in disgrace when he resigned in 2008 after convictions for perjury and obstruction of justice. Kilpatrick's convictions led to a four-month jail sentence, of which he served 99 days before being released on probation."
June 8, 1970: Birth of Kwame Kilpatrick
Kwame Malik Kilpatrick was born on June 8, 1970.
1981: Kilpatrick's Parents Divorce
Kwame Kilpatrick's parents divorced in 1981.
1989: Bernard Kilpatrick Heads Wayne County Health and Human Services Department
Bernard Kilpatrick served as head of Wayne County Health and Human Services Department from 1989 to 2002.
1992: Kilpatrick Graduates from Florida A&M University
Kwame Kilpatrick graduated from Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science in 1992.
September 9, 1995: Kilpatrick Marries Carlita Poles
On September 9, 1995, Kwame Kilpatrick married Carlita Poles in Detroit.
1996: Carolyn Kilpatrick Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
Carolyn Kilpatrick was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan's 13th congressional district in 1996.
1998: Kilpatrick Elected Minority Floor Leader
Kwame Kilpatrick was elected minority floor leader for the Michigan Democratic Party, serving in that position 1998 to 2000.
2000: Kilpatrick's term as Minority Floor Leader Ends
Kwame Kilpatrick was elected minority floor leader for the Michigan Democratic Party, serving in that position 1998 to 2000.
2001: Kilpatrick Funnels State Grant Money
In 2001, Kilpatrick used his influence while in the Michigan legislature to funnel state grant money to two organizations that were vague on their project description.
2001: Kilpatrick Elected House Minority Leader
Kwame Kilpatrick was elected as house minority leader in 2001, the first African-American to hold that position.
2002: Bernard Kilpatrick Concludes Role at Wayne County Health and Human Services Department
Bernard Kilpatrick served as head of Wayne County Health and Human Services Department from 1989 to 2002.
2002: Allegations of Party at Manoogian Mansion
In the fall of 2002, it was alleged that Kilpatrick had held a wild party involving strippers at the Manoogian Mansion, the city-owned residence of the mayor of Detroit.
2002: Kilpatrick Becomes Youngest Mayor of Detroit
On New Year’s Day 2002, Kilpatrick became the youngest mayor of Detroit when he took office at age 31.
2002: Kilpatrick Elected as Detroit's Youngest Mayor
On New Year’s Day 2002, Kilpatrick became the youngest mayor of Detroit when he took office at age 31.
April 2003: Officer Nelthrope Reports Alleged Abuse to Internal Affairs
Officer Harold C. Nelthrope contacted the Internal Affairs unit of the Detroit Police Department in April 2003 to recommend that they investigate abuses by the EPU.
April 30, 2003: Tamara Greene Murdered
Tamara Greene was murdered on April 30, 2003, at around 3:40 a.m., near the intersection of Roselawn and West Outer Drive while sitting in her car with her 32-year-old boyfriend.
2003: Salary Increases for Appointees Outpace City Workers
In 2003, appointees connected to Kilpatrick received an average salary increase of 36%, while other city employees saw only a 2% raise. This disparity in compensation further fueled controversy surrounding Kilpatrick's hiring practices.
2003: Civil Lawsuit Filed by Ex-Bodyguard and Deputy Chief
In 2003, Kwame Kilpatrick faced a civil lawsuit filed by his former bodyguard, Harold Nelthrope, and former Deputy Police Chief, Gary Brown. They alleged they were wrongfully terminated in retaliation for an internal affairs investigation that Brown led and Nelthrope provided information for, particularly regarding rumors of a party at the Mayor's mansion. They claimed Kilpatrick's actions were motivated by a desire to suppress the investigation and protect his extramarital affairs.
2004: Continued Salary Discrepancies Raise Concerns
The pattern of significant salary increases for Kilpatrick's appointees continued in 2004, with appointees again receiving a 2% raise while other city workers saw their pay stagnate. This ongoing discrepancy in compensation contributed to growing public scrutiny of Kilpatrick's administration.
May 2005: Bernard Kilpatrick Denies Party Allegations
In May 2005, at a campaign rally, Kwame Kilpatrick's father, Bernard, publicly denied allegations that the Mayor had hosted a party at the Manoogian Mansion. He compared those spreading such rumors to Nazis falsely scapegoating Jewish people. Bernard later issued an apology for his remarks.
October 2005: Citizens for Honest Government Advert Controversy
In October 2005, a group supporting Kilpatrick known as "The Citizens for Honest Government" released a controversial print advertisement. The advertisement drew parallels between media criticism of Kilpatrick and the actions of lynch mobs, sparking controversy.
2005: Kilpatrick Named One of the Worst Mayors in America
In 2005, Time magazine named Kilpatrick as one of the worst mayors in America.
2005: Kilpatrick's Special Administratorship Ends
When serious questions about water department contracts came to light in late 2005, Judge Feikens ended Kilpatrick's special administratorship in his capacity as mayor.
July 2006: Kilpatrick Hospitalized and Tax Plan Approved
Kwame Kilpatrick was hospitalized in July 2006 in Houston, Texas, after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. His physician suggested that a high-protein weight-loss diet might have contributed to his condition. During the same month, Detroit's City Council unanimously voted in favor of Kilpatrick's tax plan, which aimed to provide relief to homeowners burdened by the city's high property tax rates. The plan offered cuts ranging from 18% to 35%, contingent on the assessed value of the property.
August 2007: Trial Begins in Whistleblower Lawsuit
The trial for the civil lawsuit filed by Harold Nelthrope and Gary Brown commenced in August 2007. Both Kilpatrick and his Chief of Staff, Christine Beatty, provided sworn testimony denying any involvement in an extramarital affair.
September 2007: Jury Rules in Favor of Plaintiffs, Awarding Damages
In September 2007, after a three-hour deliberation, the jury reached a verdict in the whistleblower lawsuit, siding with Harold Nelthrope and Gary Brown. They awarded $6.5 million in damages to the plaintiffs. Following the verdict, Kilpatrick publicly questioned the impartiality of the predominantly white, suburban jury and expressed his intention to appeal the decision.
December 31, 2007: Delayed Audit for Fiscal Year 2006-2007
The city of Detroit faced a significant delay in filing its audit for the 2006-2007 fiscal year. The audit, due on December 31, 2007, was projected to be eleven months late.
2007: Sludge Hauling Contract Scandal
Kilpatrick and his father were implicated in a bribery scandal involving a $1.2 billion sewage sludge contract awarded by the Detroit City Council in 2007.
February 2008: Michigan Supreme Court Orders Release of Settlement Documents
In February 2008, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the release of settlement documents related to a case involving Kwame Kilpatrick.
March 12, 2008: Recall Petition Against Kilpatrick Rescinded
On March 12, 2008, the Wayne County Election Commission rescinded its approval for a recall petition against Kilpatrick due to concerns about the organizer's residency.
March 2008: Kilpatrick Delivers "State of the City" Address, Focusing on Positive Changes
In March 2008, Kwame Kilpatrick delivered his seventh "State of the City" address, marking a turning point in his career. The speech focused on positive changes in Detroit.
March 2008: Increased Audit Costs and Late Filing
In March 2008, it was revealed that the city of Detroit's 2005–2006 audit was fourteen months overdue. Officials estimated that the cost of completing the audit would escalate by an additional $2.4 million due to the implementation of new auditing standards that the city had not previously addressed.
March 24, 2008: Kilpatrick and Beatty Indicted on Multiple Felony Charges
On March 24, 2008, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced a twelve-count criminal indictment against Kilpatrick and Beatty, including charges of perjury, misconduct in office, and obstruction of justice.
March 27, 2008: Second Recall Petition Filed Against Kilpatrick
On March 27, 2008, a second recall petition was filed against Kilpatrick by Angelo Brown, who argued that Kilpatrick's legal problems hindered his effectiveness.
July 15, 2008: Allegations of Influence in Prostitution Case
On July 15, 2008, WXYZ reporter Steve Wilson revealed allegations that, in 2005, Kwame Kilpatrick, Christine Beatty, and Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings used their authority to help an influential Baptist minister, Mangedwa Nyathi, avoid prosecution in a solicitation of prostitution case. The arresting officer, Antoinette Bostic, claimed her supervisors pressured her not to appear in court so the case against Nyathi would be dismissed, but she defied their instructions.
July 2008: Kilpatrick Violates Bail Terms by Traveling to Canada
In July 2008, Kilpatrick violated his bail terms by traveling to Windsor, Ontario, to discuss a deal regarding the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel.
July 24, 2008: Kilpatrick Confronts Investigators at Sister's Home
On July 24, 2008, Wayne County Sheriff's Detective Brian White and investigator Joanne Kinney attempted to serve a subpoena at the residence of Kilpatrick's sister. Kilpatrick emerged from the house with his bodyguards and physically confronted Detective White, pushing him with enough force to knock him into Kinney. Kilpatrick then directed a racially charged remark at Kinney, questioning her presence with a white officer.
August 7, 2008: Kilpatrick Jailed for Bail Violation
On August 7, 2008, Kilpatrick was remanded to spend a night in jail for violating the terms of his bail by traveling to Windsor, Ontario.
August 8, 2008: Kilpatrick Released on Bond
On August 8, 2008, Judge Thomas Jackson reversed the remand order and released Kilpatrick on bond, with the condition that he wear a tracking device and refrain from traveling.
September 4, 2008: Kilpatrick Announces Resignation and Pleads Guilty to Felony Charges
On September 4, 2008, Kilpatrick announced his resignation as mayor, effective September 18, and pleaded guilty to two felony counts of obstruction of justice and no contest to assaulting a deputy.
September 2008: Kilpatrick Resigns as Mayor
Kwame Kilpatrick resigned as mayor of Detroit in September 2008 after being convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice.
September 19, 2008: Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. Becomes Mayor of Detroit
Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. replaced Kilpatrick as mayor of Detroit at 12:01 a.m. on September 19, 2008, following Kilpatrick's resignation.
September 22, 2008: Kilpatrick and Beatty Waive Preliminary Examination
On September 22, 2008, both Kilpatrick and Beatty waived their right to a preliminary examination, allowing the case to proceed directly to trial.
October 2008: Text Messages Reveal Affair and Lead to Redaction
In October 2008, Circuit Court Judge Timothy Kenny ordered the redaction of portions of text messages that were part of the settlement documents, revealing an affair.
October 28, 2008: Kilpatrick Sentenced to 120 Days in Jail
On October 28, 2008, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 120 days in jail for assaulting and obstructing a police officer, to be served concurrently with his sentence for perjury.
2008: Kilpatrick Receives Financial Support from Business Leaders
In late 2008, Kilpatrick received substantial financial support from business leaders, including Peter Karmanos Jr., to encourage his resignation and guilty plea.
2008: 'Friends and Family Plan' Hiring Controversy
A 2008 Detroit Free Press article exposed a pattern of patronage hiring within the Kilpatrick administration, dubbed the "friends and family plan." The investigation revealed that approximately 100 of Kilpatrick's appointees were employed by the city at any given time, with 29 of his close friends and family members holding positions in various city departments. This practice, while not illegal, drew criticism due to the high volume of appointments compared to previous administrations and the fact that Kilpatrick had simultaneously overseen significant job cuts within the city.
February 3, 2009: Kilpatrick Released from Jail
Kilpatrick was released from jail on February 3, 2009, after serving 99 days of his 120-day sentence.
November 2009: Kilpatrick Claims Ignorance of Finances in Court Hearing
In November 2009, Kilpatrick appeared in court and claimed to have no knowledge of his lavish expenses or his wife's financial situation.
January 20, 2010: Judge Orders Kilpatrick to Pay Restitution
On January 20, 2010, Judge Groner ruled that Kilpatrick must pay $300,000 in restitution to the city of Detroit within 90 days.
February 19, 2010: Kilpatrick Misses Restitution Payment
On February 19, 2010, Kilpatrick missed a required restitution payment of $79,000, leading to the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.
May 2010: Kilpatrick Sentenced to State Prison
In May 2010, Kilpatrick was sentenced to eighteen months to five years in state prison for violating his probation, and served time at the Oaks Correctional Facility in northwest Michigan.
May 2010: Kilpatrick Let Go from Compuware
Kilpatrick was let go from his position at Covisint, a subsidiary of Compuware, in May 2010 after being sentenced to prison.
May 25, 2010: Kilpatrick Sentenced to Prison for Probation Violation
On May 25, 2010, Kilpatrick was sentenced to one and a half to five years in prison for violating his probation.
July 11, 2010: Transfer to Federal Prison
On July 11, 2010, after being indicted on additional charges, Kilpatrick was transferred from the Oaks Correctional Facility to the Milan Federal Prison near Milan, Michigan.
August 2010: Carolyn Kilpatrick Loses Primary Election
Carolyn Kilpatrick was not re-elected to office in August 2010 because she lost her primary election to State Senator Hansen Clarke.
September 2010: Membership Status Unclear
Following Kilpatrick's conviction in 2013, his membership status in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition was initially unclear.
December 14, 2010: New Corruption Charges
On December 14, 2010, Kilpatrick was indicted on new corruption charges related to a "pattern of extortion, bribery and fraud" involving city contracts.
January 10, 2011: Arraignment on New Charges
Kilpatrick was arraigned on January 10, 2011, on a 38-count indictment detailing alleged fraudulent schemes in the city's Department of Water and Sewerage.
April 6, 2011: Release from Federal Custody
Kilpatrick was released from federal custody on April 6, 2011, after serving time for misuse of campaign funds.
August 2, 2011: Release on Parole
After serving the remainder of his state sentence at the Cotton Correctional Facility, Kilpatrick was released on parole on August 2, 2011.
August 2011: Court-Ordered Incarceration Costs
In August 2011, the court ruled that Kilpatrick was responsible for paying the costs associated with his incarceration.
November 16, 2011: Warrant Issued for Publisher's Attorney
On November 16, 2011, a bench warrant was issued for Jack Gritton, attorney for Kilpatrick's book publisher, after he failed to appear in court regarding the book's proceeds.
September 21, 2012: Trial Begins
Opening statements in the corruption trial against Kilpatrick began on September 21, 2012, with prosecutors presenting a large number of witnesses.
December 2012: No Longer a Member
By December 2012, Kilpatrick was no longer listed as a member of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition.
2012: SEC Charges
In 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Kilpatrick and former city treasurer Jeffrey W. Beasley with receiving bribes and gifts from a company seeking investments from the city's pension fund.
March 11, 2013: Guilty Verdict
Despite a strong defense, Kilpatrick was found guilty on March 11, 2013, on multiple charges, including racketeering, extortion, and fraud.
March 2013: Kilpatrick Convicted on Federal Felony Counts
In March 2013, Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted on 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and racketeering.
October 10, 2013: Sentencing
Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison on October 10, 2013, for his conviction on multiple corruption charges.
October 2013: Kilpatrick Sentenced to Federal Prison
In October 2013, Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison, and was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in El Reno, Oklahoma.
2013: Mayfield Guilty Plea
Chauncey C. Mayfield, whose company was involved in the pension fund scheme, pleaded guilty to misappropriating funds in 2013.
June 2014: Case Scheduled
The case against Kilpatrick and Beasley related to the pension fund scandal was scheduled for June 2014.
August 2015: Convictions Upheld
In August 2015, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Kilpatrick's convictions, but ordered a recalculation of the restitution amount.
June 2016: Supreme Court Appeal Denied
The US Supreme Court denied Kilpatrick's appeal in June 2016, upholding his convictions on corruption charges.
June 2018: Pardon Request
Kilpatrick began seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump in June 2018, facing significant debt from restitution claims and lawsuits.
2018: Kilpatrick Files for Divorce
Kwame Kilpatrick filed for divorce from Carlita in 2018.
January 2021: Kilpatrick's Sentence Commuted by President Trump
In January 2021, after serving 76 months of his 336-month sentence, President Donald Trump commuted Kwame Kilpatrick's sentence.
January 20, 2021: Sentence Commuted
In a controversial move, President Trump commuted Kilpatrick's sentence on January 20, 2021, just hours before leaving office.
July 2021: Kilpatrick's Second Marriage
In July 2021 Kwame Kilpatrick married Laticia Maria McGee at Historic Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit.
April 2023: Guest Speaker at "Black Agenda Movement" Conference
In April 2023, Kilpatrick was a guest speaker at the "Black Agenda Movement" conference, indicating his post-prison involvement in public speaking and activism.
2033: Eligible to Run for Office
Kilpatrick is ineligible to run for office in Michigan until 2033 due to state laws prohibiting felons from holding office for 20 years after conviction.
August 1, 2037: Earliest Possible Release Date
With time off for good behavior, Kilpatrick's earliest possible release date was August 1, 2037.