DETROIT, MI – Federal prosecutors are intensifying efforts to recover funds owed to the city of Detroit by former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. This renewed legal push, aimed at Kilpatrick’s family and close associates, comes more than a decade after his conviction on charges including racketeering, fraud, and tax crimes.
The government has started garnishing wages directly from some individuals linked to Kilpatrick, although one person is reportedly attempting to evade payment. The timing of this move raises questions, but experts suggest it has become feasible under current circumstances.
Former federal prosecutor Rick Convertino, who was familiar with Kilpatrick’s time in office, remarked on the ex-mayor’s influence and subsequent fall from grace. Despite Kilpatrick’s pardon by former President Donald Trump in 2021, Convertino is uncertain whether Kilpatrick is still liable for the substantial debt if he lacks seizable assets.
Kilpatrick has been adept at concealing significant assets. He reportedly rents his home and leases his car, with bank accounts showing minimal funds. Meanwhile, others connected to him remain accountable. His father, Bernard Kilpatrick, still owes $36,000 in restitution, having reduced the original debt through payments.
Geoffrey Beasley, Detroit’s former treasurer, faces enforced deductions, with 25% of his Florida A&M salary allocated to his debt. Conversely, city contractor Bobby Ferguson has resisted repayment entirely, a situation Convertino notes is not uncommon in such cases.
Convertino suggested that efforts to reclaim these debts would persist indefinitely, as individuals often exploit legal loopholes to shield assets. Many resort to renting properties or placing assets under others’ names, complicating recovery efforts.
This situation underscores a broader issue where billions owed in restitution across the U.S. remain unpaid, as legal systems struggle to enforce financial penalties effectively.