For Detroit, Kilpatrick’s Resignation Closes a Chapter, But the Story May Not End There

By: Jackie Jones, BlackAmericaWeb

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s resignation may close the door on his sex-and-text messaging scandal, but where the city goes from here is anyone’s guess.

After pleading guilty to two felonies and no-contest to a criminal charge on Thursday morning, Kilpatrick addressed Detroiters publicly in the evening in televised remarks, appearing at times both contrite and somewhat embittered by the efforts that drove him from office.

“I want to emphasize tonight that I take full responsibility for my actions ... our challenge now is to put the anguish and the turmoil of recent months behind us,” Kilpatrick said to a packed City Council chamber.

Kilpatrick accepted a plea deal, announced in Wayne County Circuit Court on Thursday, in which he pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice. He must serve four months in jail and five years of probation. His resignation will take effect Sept. 18.

For Detroit, Kilpatrick’s Resignation Closes a Chapter, But the Story May Not End There....