By the time Kilpatrick was reelected to a second term a few years back, he was identified as a rising star within the Democratic Party. At age 25, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. Later he held the distinction of being the first African American to lead a Michigan legislature. At age 31 he became the youngest mayor in the history of Detroit.
Kilpatrick had the smarts, the looks, the stature and pedigree to be a major star on the national scene for decades to come. He was at least going to become a federal congressman or senator — at least. That’s why it was painful, pathetic and almost grotesque to look at this mountainous man shackled like a junkie or drug dealer.
From glancing at his personal biography, he seemed almost immune from any roadblock that would hinder his attaining international acclaim and influence. He attended Detroit’s flagship school, Cass Tech, and then graduated with honors from the illustrious Florida State A&M [FAMU]. He then came back home to nearby Michigan State University, where he earned his law degree. And it certainly helped that he was the product of a local political dynasty, as his mother is the esteemed Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and his father was a county commissioner for Wayne County, Mich.
I saw Kilpatrick days after his reelection. He was feted with the type of adoration from children normally reserved for a rock star. They jostled for positioning just to reach out and touch someone from their own city who had made it big. People of all political persuasions were bewitched by his extraordinary magnetism. I watched Kilpatrick mesmerize suspicious and disgruntled voters in Detroit as to why he should have been elected the second time around, despite the fact that his mayorship was plagued by multiple scandals and rampant accusations of corruption.
His charisma was off the charts. But so was his arrogance, egocentricity and super-sized sense of entitlement. That’s why this man of would-be greatness will celebrate his 40th birthday behind bars. Despite the overwhelming evidence suggesting that he tried, one more time, to bewitch the system that had him firmly in its grasp. Kilpatrick failed to show any remorse — again.
“I want to go home your honor, where I belong,” Kilpatrick told Groner. “I’m not here because of a gun charge, or a drug charge. I’m here because of my confusion over some of the written orders that have been before me.”
But his act has clearly worn off on people long ago. He is like radioactive waste; no one wants to get near him now.
“You continue to attempt to cast yourself as the victim. Your lack of forthrightness, your lack of contriteness and lack of humility … clearly rehabilitation has failed,” Groner told Kilpatrick.
It was more than just the fact that Kilpatrick failed to disclose $240,000 in loans from prominent businessmen that he’s going to prison. Or that Kilpatrick failed to surrender nearly $23,400 in tax refunds and a share of cash gifts from two people. It was much more. Kilpatrick, seen as a savior for a beleaguered city, set Detroit back 20 years with his intricate web of lies, deceit and corruption.
The city has paid a horrible price for Kilpatrick’s multiple misdeeds. And now the courts believe its time for Kilpatrick to pay as well. –terry shropshire
