Felony Charges For Detroit Mayor, Beatty

[ScreamingMeemie]

Source: Channel 7 News, ABC Affiliate, Detroit

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has announced felony charges against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff Christine Beatty.


Read more: http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=e5234935-2ac1-4ae7-9b3b-a0ba3ebd8190

---

Perjury and Obstruction of Justice charges for them both. 12 counts in total. It's about time.

[TexasLady]

1. It's slathered all over the news

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Press conference is not even over. They must be quick.

[Joe Bacon]

82. So when is Vitter going to trial?

Oh, I forgot he's Republican...

[Strawman]

2. Yes!

Thank God. Hopefully this crook will have the sense to take a plea and resign now so the city can move on.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Part of me hopes they nail him to the wall though...

He's made a joke of the city, the justice system, and the people. He should have been smart and resigned.

[Strawman]

38. Same here, but I worry about the outcome of a trial

I'm afraid that if this does go to a trial, he may get off on some technicality. There is no reasonable doubt he is the author of the text messages, but he has already floated this ridiculous "prove it was my thumb on the pager" alternative hypothesis and that they are just trying to give one sympathetic juror "a peg" to hang their decision on to not convict.

They're betting that for one person out of 12 they can make this about race rather than about the mayor's conduct. And they are probably right. I am worried that this will be won and lost at the jury selection and the mayor's high priced attorneys and jury consultants will outmaneuver the prosecutors office.

I'd trade seeing him pay for the certainty that he will be removed from office. The worst case scenario is a long trial where he gets off on a technicality, remains in office, completely unaccountable and at further cost to the city's already bad reputation.

[ScreamingMeemie]

42. You're right...It's just the anger I feel when I walk through the homes I appraise

in Detroit. These people have nothing and what is there is squandered by this man and his cohorts. Of course, it is being made about race in this very thread. :(

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

69. "Race" comes up a lot on DU these days

but I'm not seeing much if any in the media. Not from Kim Worthy, not from Kwame's lawyer, not even from Kwame (well-mannered today). And not from the various expert talking heads.

Who knows how the trial tactics will go, but for now, it all seems fairly "high road". I hope it stays that way.

I hope I don't get selected for that jury, though. What a mess!

:hi:

[dkf]

5. Is there more to this than lying about an affair?

What's the big deal? I don't get it.

[BadgerLaw2010]

6. Massively corrupt across the board, ruined police careers over his mistress, etc.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. Way more... This is what is sad about the whole situation.

It really had nothing to do about "an affair" as much as Mayor Kilpatrick would have liked to spin it to be.

Police officers lost their jobs, 9 million $$$ in taxpayer money was spent on a civil trial. Here is a time line...

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/METRO/801240417

Timeline
January 2002: Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick takes office.
Fall 2002 : As the Manoogian Mansion remains unoccupied while renovations are being completed, rumors begin to surface of a wild party there and the mayor's wife, Carlita Kilpatrick, showing up unexpectedly and slapping a stripper.
March 2003 : Police Officer Harold Nelthrope, after being transferred out of the mayor's Executive Protection Unit, contacts the Police Department's Internal Affairs division about allegations of misconduct involving mayoral bodyguards Mike Martin and Greg Jones, as well as the Manoogian Mansion rumor.
March 2003 : Shortly after making the complaint, Nelthrope is called at home by Martin. Nelthrope said he begins to fear for his life.
March 2003 : Internal Affairs, headed by Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown, makes preliminary investigation into Nelthrope's allegations.
May 2003 : After a request from the mayor's of chief of staff, Christine Beatty, Brown prepares a two-page memo outlining misconduct by Martin and Jones. It does not mention the Manoogian rumor -- which is never substantiated -- but, in a separate memo, Brown writes he is prepared to look into those allegations if directed to by then-Police Chief Jerry Oliver.
May 2003 : A day or two after getting the memo from Oliver, Beatty claims she received a short, unsigned note saying Brown is not to be trusted. She shreds the note. The mayor, without consulting with the police chief, demotes Brown.
June 2003 : A whistleblower lawsuit is filed against the city and Kilpatrick by Brown and Nelthrope.
August 2007: Both Beatty and the mayor testify during trial that they did not have a romantic relationship.
September 2007 : Following a trial -- and testimony alleging misbehavior by the mayor as well as his bodyguards -- a jury awards Nelthrope and Brown $6.5 million in damages.

[dkf]

11. Yet another man in power who is out of control.

What is it with these guys? Stupid stupid stupid.

We Dems sure have been stinking it up lately.

[GigiMommy]

65. Not " slapping a stripper"...

It's been rumored that she used a Louisville Slugger on Tamara Greene. That's why she had to go to the hospital.

[ScreamingMeemie]

68. For clarification for you...this is a cut and paste from the paper..

not an original post. Thank you.

[GigiMommy]

70. Thanks...are you

a Detroiter too?

[Festivito]

75. NICE TIMELINE. Thanks. My short understanding...

Many people involved with this story.

ALLEGEDLY:
Mayor has sexual relation with THREE women.
Wife(Carlita) catches mayor Kwame with um, "escort"(Green) at party that later "does not exist"

Wife beats escort with bat at that party.

Escort goes to hospital?
Escort makes complaint to police.
POLICE LOSE THE COMPLAINT.
(Elderly city emp recalls seeing the complaint)
(Feels badly. Testifies under oath that she saw it, YEARS LATER. Says she had talked with a media "Crime Stoppers Program" POLICE say they don't take tips from that program.)(Very credible lady IMHO. Police -- not so much -- in this case.)

After filing complaint Escort is shot dead in a hail of bullets.
BULLETS ARE POLICE CALIBER.
(Mayor has a large number of police guarding him 24/7)

Investigation starts up. Rumor of a party, etc.
Party existence denied.
Several investigating police demoted, fired.
Fired police sue City.

THIRD WOMAN(Beady) texts messages and has sexual relationship with mayor. Lies under oath. So does mayor. Hides textings from City Council who authorize 9M$ payment to fired police -- to settle.

AT TRIAL Mayor and Beady are transparent. Jury awards police.
Settlement pays police as long as texting remains secret -- they get 9M$.

SOMEONE releases the textings. (Illegally I bet.)
(Either the contract was broken and the money has not been returned or the judge released it or the telephone company illegally released it. As far as I can guess.)

Mayor and wife appear on TV to talk about affairs.
(Note: Mayor's wife might be implicated in assault on now dead escort.)

SO, THE TEXTING MIGHT BE THROWN OUT OF COURT.
End of trial.

INTERESTING MESS.

Detroit and its larger Wayne county do not have a real Republican party. So, everyone runs as a Democrat. And, talk about your DINOs!

[Delphinus]

76. WOW!

I remember when he got on TV and confessed, with his wife by his side. Not being from Detroit, I didn't pay much attention. This puts the situation into a whole other light!!!

[Festivito]

77. A couple of dots media people are not connecting, so far.

But, it explains it all.

He will attempt to hold onto power as long as he can in order to stop that investigation.

The media will not play the recorded interview with the lady who saw the complaint.

Prosecutor (Worthy) waited to move. Why? What negotiations happen behind the scenes. Might Kwame's mother play a role? Do they have their own BFEE as KFEE?

Lots of money in play. Businesses have already paid their campaign bribes. They don't want to have to pay another bribe tax.

MESS MESS MESS.

[Bozita]

78. Local media played interviews w/ the retired DPD clerk who handled the police dept complaint ...

... filed by Tamara Greene, the dead "stripper."

That former city employee appeared to be really credible. Actually, incredibly credible.

[AngryAmish]

8. Background

Mayor had city police security detail. They guarded him while carrying on affair (in hotel out of town). They complained that they should not be arranging his sexytime. He fired them. They sued. Mayor and gf (who was his chief of staff -- Beavis laughs) lied during depositions and trial of wrongful discharge. Attorney for cops lets it be known that he has text messages b/w mayor and gf about sexytime. Mayor settles lawsuit -- either before or after verdict for 8.4 million.

Detroit Free Press asks for text messages. Whole thing blows up.

Perjury is a big deal, especially when it costs the city so much money.

Bottom line: Pay for own sexytime and don't lie under oath about it.

on edit: a lot of the facts above are wrong. Mrs.Grumpy has better facts.

[ScreamingMeemie]

9. Even deeper than that.

See above for timeline.

[AngryAmish]

10. Your post is much better than mine.

Thanks for the info. Many of my facts are wrong (I'm trying to remember them from afar.

[susanna]

79. Mayor settled lawsuit AFTER verdict - for MORE than verdict!

Based on the existence of text messages that were not brought into the actual trial; they appeared after the initial verdict. Just some clarification.

The other thing is: allegedly, the Mayor/his lawyers created a "secret" settlement that removed the text messages from public discourse. In the event the text messages were made public, for example, the wrongly-fired cops (party to the lawsuit) would forfeit their rights to settlement.

The Detroit Free Press was somehow (?) tipped off to the messages and retrieved them via FOIA. That's where the current mess started. I'm not sad about that, personally. This needed to come to light. IMHO.

On edit: punctuation is your friend.

[SharonRB]

12. It's about frickin' time

I just finished watching the last part of the press conference. I knew Kym Worthy put this off so she'd have all her ducks in a row. I had no doubt she'd bring charges.

Kwame and Betty have to turn themselves in my 7 a.m. tomorrow or they'll be arrested.

This is one more bad mark for the city -- it's time to start the healing and lock these two up.

[ScreamingMeemie]

13. She had to bring charges.

My concern was that they would attempt to strong arm her again. She did a great job at the press conference.

[SharonRB]

14. Yes, she did

She's a good prosecutor and not in Kwame's back pocket. It's refreshing.

Did you hear that district conventions have been postponed to April 19? Will you be there?

:hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. No, I won't. I

I have a hard enough time getting up in the morning.

Nicole is interning for Sarah Roberts (State Rep candidate) this year. She'll pick up the torch. I think I'm done. This business of trying to deal is enough for me right now.

[SharonRB]

16. I'm glad to see you posting again.

Let's try to get together soon. My time hasn't been my own much lately -- I go to work, go to my mom's to help give her dinner and don't get home until about 7:30 every night. I also spend most of Sunday there. After having a pretty good appetite for the last month or so, the last few days she hasn't felt like eating much, so I have a feeling we're heading toward the end and things are going to go downhill from here on out. She's surprised us before, but I'm not holding my breath this time.

I'll look for Nicole at the convention. Glad to hear she's getting active in the process.

:hug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. It won't be for long...the posting, I mean.

I just can't get over how different this place is. I'm just trying to bring attention to (and failing miserably) the AAM strike. My dad should be out of a job by April at this rate.

I am home most days. Stop in if you want. I will keep your mom in my thoughts.

[SharonRB]

21. Yeah, it's changed a lot.

Hopefully it will get better again after the primaries are over.

I usually stay out of GD:Pee and out of the line of fire.

I hope they get the strike settled soon.

[michreject]

41. It shocked me

Kwame is in a world of hurt now.

[ScreamingMeemie]

18. Kilpatrick to hold news conference any moment...

Still waiting...


and, in typical fashion, reducing the numbers of press corps allowed in the briefing room.

[Bozita]

19. Kwame's newser is a real snoozer.

Prepared text only.

[SharonRB]

20. Yeah, nothing to see here, just move along

The hubris of this man is appalling.

[tom_paine]

22. This has to be said: Is this a part of the Bushies' US Attorneys Crminal network to destroy Dems?

I mean, there are three options here:

1) The man is guilty, and if he was a Bushie, his crimes would never see the light of day. But as part of an overall gestalt-based propaganda that is designed around compliant and criminal Bushie (US) Federal Attorney's, it is time for the Prosecution of Democrats to begin.

2) The man is not guilty, or not very guilty, and the Criminal Conspiracy of Bushie Attorneys has taken him down just in time for him to be another episode of the Bushies' Reality TV that is the 2008 "election".

3) The man is guilty, and he was discovered and prosecuted fairly and without regard for his party nor race (possible, but given the reality of Bush-Occupied Amerika it seems unlikely)

The fact of the matter is that Bushie Justice is equivalent in it's lopsided pursuit of opponents to the Nazis, they just aren't equivalent in measures taken upon conviction. The fact of t he matter is that it's also getting more obvious the closer the Bushies get to their ultimate goal of endless unchecked power and the dismantling of the Constitution/Bill of Rights.

This guy may be guilty as sin, butthe fact is that any Loyal Bushie parcticing the same criminality two suburbian towns over can continue comfortably, knowing it is very likely he will get a "pass" from the Loyal Bushie Crminals now mostly responsible for law enforcement.

I say again: This has less to do with this man's guilt than it has with the Bushies wielding selective Soviet-style "justice" against their enemies while the most massive corruption emanating from their own selves goes unreported, uninvestigated, and most certainly unpunished.

[BigDaddy44]

33. Not unless he enlisted an entirely democratic team to help him

EVERYTHING is not about the Bushes you know.......... I think the good mayor had no trouble getting into this mess all on his own.

[BadgerLaw2010]

35. Oh please. The guy lost a multi-million civil trial fair and square.

[ButterflyBlood]

43. Wayne County Prosecutor brought the charges

Bush has nothing to do with that position.

[nels25]

46. I don't think so this time

I believe the prosecutor in this case is the local county DA and not a Bush appointee.

If he/she is an appointee at all he/she would most likely be a Democrat since governor Granholm is a Democrat and has held that office for at least 2 terms I believe.

Much as we would like to, we can not blame all the ills on the planet on the GOP or Bush!:shrug:

[Freddie Stubbs]

54. The article states that it is the Wayne County DA bringing charges, not the US Attorney

BTW, Wayne County's Prosecuting Attorney (DA) is a Democrat.

[Bozita]

23. Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick charged with perjury, obstruction, misconduct

Source: Detroit News


Monday, March 24, 2008
Detroit mayoral scandal
Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick charged with perjury, obstruction, misconduct
Mike Wilkinson / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has filed 12 charges against Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty, accusing the mayor of perjury and both of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office, among other charges in connection with the text-message scandal.

"Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, peoples lives were ruined, the justice system was severely mocked and the public trust trampled on," Worthy said. "This is as far from being a private matter as one can get."

The announcement could take the text-message scandal, once relegated to civil court and accusations of privacy and freedom of the press, into a criminal matter that could send the mayor and Beatty to prison. A perjury conviction can bring a prison term of up to 15 years.

The charges alone could only add more pressure to Kilpatrick to step down -- something other politicians, business leaders, pastors and the public have suggested for weeks.
Kilpatrick was spotted leaving the city-owned Manoogian Mansion around 10:15 a.m.

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/METRO/803240405

[Bozita]

24. Detroit Free Press report ...

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080324/NEWS01/303250001

TEXT MESSAGE SCANDAL

Kilpatrick, Beatty face felony charges

March 24, 2008


UPDATED AT 11:40 A.M.: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and former chief of staff Christine Beatty were charged today with multiple counts of perjury, obstruction of justice, misconduct in office and conspiracy because of their conduct in last year’s police whistle-blower trial, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy announced.


Kilpatrick is charged with eight felonies and Beatty with seven. They are: perjury, conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice and misconduct in office.

Worthy said the perjury charges accuse the two of lying during a whistle-blower lawsuit about the firing of Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown and about their romantic relationship.

Kilpatrick, 38, serving his seventh year in office, is the first Detroit mayor to face criminal charges while still in office. The perjury charge carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

"Lying cannot be tolerated, even if a judge and jury can see through it and doesn’t buy the line,” Worthy said at a packed news conference.

“Witnesses must give trutthful testimony,” she added. “Oaths mean something.”

more...

[humbled_opinion]

25. Prosecuting a mans

Personl life have we learned nothing...

[MidwestTransplant]

26. This guy is a lying, corrupt POS.

[humbled_opinion]

34. and so he deserves to have

His civil liberties raped by spying on his cell text messages.... and he deserves to be prosecuted by the Gestapo...

Whats next public lynching?

When its your turn I wonder who will speak up for you?

[BadgerLaw2010]

36. Why is anyone defending this (very well documented) slime?

[ScreamingMeemie]

37. The "Gestapo" is a Dem prosecutor. The "victim" was not "spied upon".

The "victim" flaunted his "power" in front of the masses. And, he was spoken up for...until he let those who "spoke up for him" down. I suggest you read up on the case.

Thank you.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SharonRB]

27. This goes far beyond his personal life

If that's really all it was, I would agree with you. Do a Google search and read up on the case and you'll soon realize it's far more than a personal issue.

[BobRossi]

28. Personal life?

Ask officer Brown how his personal life is doing:


"Worthy said the perjury charges accuse the two of lying during a whistle-blower lawsuit about the firing of Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown"

[susanna]

80. Don't you mean the "un-appointment," rather than firing?

Sorry. Gallows humor.

(For those unaware, the Mayor and his ex-Chief of Staff called Brown's firing his "un-appointment.")

It makes sense if you watch the Prosecutor's remarks. She was very, very repetitive on the "un-appointment" aspect of it all... :-(

[nels25]

49. You response is the kind of thing

that enables the GOP to scream double standard!!

This man did wrong and lying is wrong.

When I was sworn in to testify in a USN investigation with members of the NIS (this was the military version of a grand jury) believe me lying was the last thing on my mind.

We do our selves no service when we react this way to obvious wrong doing, and this is way more wrong than anything that happened in the Clinton administration IE-Monicgate.

Lives were ruined, and tax money misused, not to mention obstruction of justice.

No this gentleman needs to see the justice system in action and most likely the inside of a cell.:dem:

[tishaLA]

29. I really am sorry to see this

I was hoping for the best for him. What I have read about the case, though, makes it look like the evidence against him is almost insurmountable.

[tom_paine]

30. Is this a part of the Bushies' US Attorneys Crminal network?

I mean, there are three options here:

1) The man is guilty, and if he was a Bushie, his crimes would never see the light of day. But as part of an overall gestalt-based propaganda that is designed around compliant and criminal Bushie (US) Federal Attorney's, it is time for the Prosecution of Democrats to begin.

2) The man is not guilty, or not very guilty, and the Criminal Conspiracy of Bushie Attorneys has taken him down just in time for him to be another episode of the Bushies' Reality TV that is the 2008 "election".

3) The man is guilty, and he was discovered and prosecuted fairly and without regard for his party nor race (possible, but given the reality of Bush-Occupied Amerika it seems unlikely)

[Bozita]

31. These are Detroit/Wayne County folks, all Dems.

Ms. Worthy, the County Prosecutor, has a pretty good reputation.

[tom_paine]

32. Good to know. n/t

[BrightKnight]

39. .

.

[goclark]

66. Isn't his mother a politician? nt

[GigiMommy]

67. Yes...Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_Cheeks_Kilpatrick



Her seat might be in jeopardy because of this scandal as well.

[ButterflyBlood]

44. About time

This guy has been a disgrace his whole time in office. A city like Detroit definitely needs someone running it who isn't a complete joke who's only caused more problems and wasted more taxpayer money. Detroit needs a hell of a lot better than him.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

45. Kwame is innocent

If his lawyer can get the text messages thrown out, adios case.

We'll see...

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. I believe that Kym Worthy took her time on this and dotted all of the i's

while crossing the t's as well. I think this is why it took her until today to file. I think his attorney was playing a marvelous game of grandstanding, throwing out quite a few cases of perjury over civil trials on the way. My hope was that Kwame would step down. I had such high hopes for him when he first gained office.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

51. If his lawyer can make the case ...

Kim Worthy would have never started an investigation if text messages weren't publicized by the Free Press in the first place. If those messages were gotten illegally, then everything based on them may collapse. The whole case.

[ScreamingMeemie]

53. Again, I really do think more is going to come out.

I am going to believe in the fact that Kym is a smart woman. I looked at the comments by Webb as more grandstanding on behalf of his client.

[myhawgoff]

48. Kwame was

Ridin' Dirty!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

52. Hey! That party at the Manoogian Mansion

never happened!!!

There were no strippers there, either!!!

:rofl:

[susanna]

83. You forgot "Urban Legend."

Come on, get with the program...

[Freddie Stubbs]

58. So, he's innocent, but that can only be proven if you throw out evidence

:shrug:

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

84. Yes, and that sums up his strategy

If the text messages are thrown out, there was no perjury, no affair, no party at the Manoogian Mansion, no cops forced out of the department. Kwame is pure as driven snow.

It all hinges on getting the messages thrown out. That one issue may get appealed through state and federal courts before the "real" trial can begin.

[susanna]

81. Good luck on that. n/t

[Bozita]

50. Christine Beatty has just turned herself in.

www.wdiv.com

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

55. Did she bring luggage? Arraignment is tomorrow.

What would be the point in surrendering early? To spend the night in the pokie?

[ScreamingMeemie]

56. They were told that they were to turn themselves in this afternoon.

Both Beatty and the Mayor (I believe at 4PM)were going to turn themselves in this afternoon. Webb said that they will just require a signature in lieu of bond and they will be free to go.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

60. Kim Worthy said tomorrow morning

They were to turn themselves in at 7am (WAAYY to early in the morning), then go for arraignment. That's what I heard in her press conference.

Webb was pushing for arraignment this afternoon, probably some kind of "lawyer" gambit.

[ScreamingMeemie]

61. No, it was "by 7 AM" or a warrant would be issued.

They were advised, by counsel, to turn themselves in this afternoon, as no bond is being set.


And, on edit just a grammar thing, it's Kym. I know I hate when people spell my name wrong.

[Bozita]

57. Makes no sense to me either. None at all. n/t

[ScreamingMeemie]

59. They are to be released upon their signatures, Bozita.

It happens a lot in white collar type cases. No bond is being set.

[Bozita]

62. She went to a WC Sheriff facility in Westland on Henry Ruff Road.

Thanks.

[ScreamingMeemie]

63. It angers me in a way because, as I watched on televsion, you or

I would not be afforded that kind of deal.

[Bozita]

64. Yup, her lawyer's Caddie pulled into a police garage to avoid cameras.

Red carpets replace perp walks for these folks.

[JI7]

71. why doesn't that idiot resign

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

72. Because he thinks he can beat the charges

If he does, heck, he might even get re-elected! Again.

He has nothing to lose.

And he's blinded by arrogance.

[marshall]

73. I hope they separate the personal from the professional

Because who cares about his personal life and whatever lies he told to keep his wife from knowing.
But if he spent public funds that's another story.

[sarcasmo]

74. Kick, get out your popcorn, this is only going to get juicier.