Kwamegate Charges Still Surfacing

Detroit’s former mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, cost the city millions and made national—maybe international—news at the height of the scandal over his text messages. Ultimately, that led to Kilpatrick’s plea bargain and subsequent removal from office.

Lawyer Mike Stefani, who got an $8.4 million settlement in the 2007 police whistle-blower lawsuit, faces perjury charges before Michigan’s Attorney Grievance Commission. Stefani admitted he leaked Kwami’s text messages to the Detroit Free Press for “safekeeping”. Four other lawyers are facing professional charges—and possible loss of their legal licenses—following the whistle-blower case.

A list of those complicit, in one way or another, with Kwamegate:

• Christine Beatty, Kilpatrick’s Chief of Staff
• John E. Johnson, Detroit Corporation Counsel
• Valerie Colbert-Osamuede, Assistant City Attorney
• Wilson Copeland, city-paid attorney in the whistle-blower lawsuit
• Samuel McCargo, city-paid attorney in the whistle-blower lawsuit
• Sheryl Robinson Wood, federally-appointed Detroit Police Monitor

And there’s still more to be revealed in the Tamara Green murder case and lawsuit. In the meantime, Kilpatrick’s shenanigans have inspired musicals, been in Fox’s “Lie to Me”, and now the film “Scandal in the City”.