Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
Detroit, June 24, (THAINDIAN NEWS) On Wednesday, the federal government indicted former mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick of 19 federal charges that include charges not only of his being involved in tax crimes but also in many frauds.

The federal prosecutors have accused Kwame Kilpatrick of accumulating a wealth of around $640,000 for private purposes from a tax-exempt charity created by him that projected itself of being one that would work to enhance the beauty of Detroit and also improve the image of the city. However, what it seems from the charges made by the prosecutors is that the charity worked as a money churner for the mayor who spent the money for his personal purposes.

The fund that was collected by the tax-exempt charity was allegedly used by the Mayor to pay for his personal luxuries like golf, travel, yoga, kids’ camps, and also buying expensive cars. The prosecutors have also alleged that the money was also used for polling campaigns by the former mayor. As per the indictment, the Civic Fund money was also used by the Mayor to money to friends and family members.

The FBI has carried out thorough investigation of the assets of Kwame Kilpatrick and the latter has failed to provide any account of more than $640,000 as income between 2003 and 2008. The expenditures included in it are his private jet flights, unaccountable cash and other personal expenses that were reportedly paid by the Civic Fund.

However, the Defense lawyer James Thomas has voiced the charges to be false and maintained that he will fight the charges that have been levied against Kwame Kilpatrick. The former Mayor at present is serving prison term of five years for violating probation in a 2008 case.