Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy believes that Kwame’s ridiculously low $160/month restitution payment (toward $860,000) should be raised to at LEAST $1,000/month, given that he appears to be hiding assets while living lavishly in a 5,000 square foot mansion in Texas, which is larger than the mayoral Manoogian mansion that he lived in while mayor of Detroit. It looks like the judge is raising his payments, but only to $500. Not enough, judge.
Original story posted on DetNews.com »
Last Updated: December 08. 2011 12:02PM
State will hike Kilpatrick restitution payments
Robert Snell/ The Detroit News
Detroit— State prison officials will force Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to make higher restitution payments amid concerns he is hiding assets and living beyond his means.
A state prison official told The Detroit News on Wednesday that Kilpatrick’s monthly payment probably will rise from $160 to about $500 — a 212-percent increase.
The development is emerging as new figures indicate Kilpatrick’s nationwide tour in support of his recently released autobiography is a financial failure.
Despite visiting several cities and giving a speech at Eastern Michigan University, Kilpatrick, 41, reported no income in November, Michigan Corrections Department spokesman Russ Marlan said.
“We’re going to require him to make increased payments,” Marlan told The News. “He has a sizeable amount to pay and he’s been making pretty small payments.”
In an email Thursday, Kilpatrick said he was not surprised and hoped state and county officials could move on.
“I will continue my work with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice officials, and follow all rules, regulations and conditions of my parole,” he said. “I am currently in complete and full compliance with all parole conditions, and I fully intend to continue to do so.”
The restitution review was prompted by a report in The Detroit News last month that Kilpatrick, his wife and three children had moved into a $372,000 home in Grand Prairie, Texas. The 5,000-square-foot home is larger and more expensive than their last rental.
Kilpatrick defended the move, saying his costs declined.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy is concerned because Kilpatrick’s monthly expenses exceed his income by almost $2,000, according to financial records submitted by the former mayor.
She wants Kilpatrick to pay at least $1,000 per month.
“What’s more likely true is he is again hiding assets,” Worthy wrote in a Dec. 2 letter requesting the state review and modify Kilpatrick’s restitution payment. “A restitution payment in the amount of $160 per month is laughable.”
Kilpatrick claimed his monthly income is $3,750, according to Worthy.
He pays $2,600 a month in rent, more than $800 for a vehicle and almost $315 for cable television — almost double his restitution amount.
“Moving out of the house into a cheaper, less costly residence — I don’t know how achievable that is. I don’t know what kind of lease he has,” Marlan said. “One thing he can do is cancel the cable. That’s not an essential life function.”
In 2008, Kilpatrick pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, resigned as mayor and promised the city $1 million restitution in a deal that avoided trial on multiple charges, including lying under oath during the text message scandal.
He went to prison in May 2010 for failing to make payments based on a finding that Kilpatrick hid or squandered hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He still owes $860,000 in restitution.
Kilpatrick’s monthly expenses indicate he is paying cash for food at stores “most likely to avoid the paper trail of a bank account,” Worthy wrote in the letter.
“Mr. Kilpatrick’s lifestyle would suggest he has assets far beyond those he is reporting to the (Texas parole) field agent,” Worthy wrote. “He is once again making a mockery of the judicial system …”
Assistant Wayne County Prosecutor Maria Miller said Wednesday it is premature to comment on the state’s willingness to increase Kilpatrick’s restitution payment.
Kilpatrick negotiated the lower restitution figure with Texas officials in October. That figure was based on an alleged agreement between the former mayor and an unidentified person in the Wayne County Clerk’s Office, Worthy said.
Worthy’s office investigated and learned there was no agreement.
rsnell@detnews.com
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