Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is seeking to shake off the financial shackles of his past by asking a federal judge to terminate his obligation to pay restitution to the City of Detroit. According to WWJ Newsradio 950, in a federal court filing, Kilpatrick argued that he has met the financial obligations stemming from his 2013 corruption conviction and that further demands could hinder his ability to contribute meaningfully to society and provide for his family.
In a self-authored motion cited by Deadline Detroit, Kilpatrick stated that the lingering restitution claims, which stand at around $831,000, threaten his professional advancement and his efforts to mentor, counsel, and teach others to lead law-abiding lives. Kilpatrick, who is now an ordained minister and advocates for prison inmates, also runs a virtual ministry while speaking across the U.S., Africa, and the Caribbean.
As reported by The Detroit News, Kilpatrick has contested the total amount stated by the government, claiming on air that the true figure he owes is below $155,000. He further explained that after assets worth $3.6 million were seized and liquidated in connection with his case, these should have covered his debt and more.
Amidst this legal battle, Kilpatrick has also faced ramifications in his personal endeavors. Engagements such as invitations to theological school and to join a national board have been rescinded due to ongoing concerns about his financial integrity, as Kilpatrick himself admitted during the radio show. His struggle with the restitution obligation continues to cast a long shadow on his post-prison life, complicating his efforts to reintegrate fully into society and to make strides in his newfound ministerial calling.
