Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
18 October 2012. The Kilpatrick Enterprise, according to the indictment, is accused of extorting contractors and instilling fear in them to make sure that the former mayor’s co-defendant and longtime friend Bobby Ferguson got a cut of city contract deals. Kilpatrick; his father, Bernard Kilpatrick; Ferguson, and ex-city water chief Victor Mercado are charged with running a criminal enterprise through the mayor’s office to enrich themselves. They are accused of, among other things, rigging bids, shaking down contractors and using nonprofit funds for personal use. They are also facing charges, including racketeering, extortion, bribery, tax evasion and obstruction of justice. Prosecutors said Wednesday they will call witnesses who allegedly were extorted by Kilpatrick and his three co-defendants. This brings a new chapter on the trial of former Mayor Kilpatrick.
