Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has asked a federal judge to formally close out his federal case by addressing disputed restitution amounts stemming from his corruption convictions, according to a new court filing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The motion also seeks court approval to resolve remaining post-sentence conditions tied to the case.
In the 12-page motion filed Monday, December 8, Kilpatrick argues that he has effectively satisfied the financial requirements imposed as part of his sentence and that continued supervision and restitution obligations are no longer necessary. Kilpatrick was convicted in 2013 on federal charges including racketeering conspiracy, extortion, bribery, wire fraud, and income tax evasion, and was originally sentenced to 28 years in prison.
President Donald Trump granted executive clemency to Kilpatrick in January 2021, commuting his prison sentence to time served. Following the commutation, Kilpatrick was resentenced to three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors later confirmed that while his prison term was reduced, the restitution order remained in effect.
Court records show Kilpatrick was ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in restitution jointly and severally with co-defendant Bobby Ferguson. Kilpatrick’s filing argues that millions of dollars in seized and liquidated assets belonging to Ferguson were applied toward the joint restitution obligation and should substantially reduce, or fully satisfy, the amount Kilpatrick owes.
Kilpatrick points to court rulings and forfeiture orders indicating that more than $3.6 million in liquidated assets were credited toward restitution, along with additional credits tied directly to his own judgment. When those amounts are properly applied, Kilpatrick contends that the remaining balance is no more than $155,000 and may already be fully satisfied.
Attached to the filing is a letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office dated December 2023 stating that Kilpatrick’s outstanding restitution balance at that time was approximately $164,000. However, other court records referenced by the City of Detroit have continued to show a significantly higher remaining balance, creating a dispute over the correct accounting.
Kilpatrick’s three-year term of supervised release expired in January 2024. His current filing does not arise from an active supervision status, but from an effort to fully conclude the case while disputing the remaining restitution balance. Kilpatrick argues that continued enforcement actions and public confusion over restitution accounting have limited his professional opportunities and ability to earn income and provide for his family.
The motion remains pending, and the court has not yet ruled. Federal prosecutors are expected to respond before any decision is made.
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- NMD Staff
News@NewMediaDetroit.com
