It was a rough return for reporters when Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick arrived back in Detroit from his weekend trip to Dallas.
INVESTIGATOR HEATHER CATALLO REPORTS IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ON THE RIGHTSTORY SCRIPT The mayor returned from
Dallas this morning… after a visit with a powerful minister in
Texas.
But that church leader will not be providing
Detroit’s mayor any support right now.
As Chief Investigator Steve Wilson reported on Friday…
Action News cameras were the only ones to show you how Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the First Lady departed from Metro Airport on Friday.
Their destination:
Dallas, TX..
Their goal was to meet with this influential preacher – Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Bishop Jakes is a preacher with a 28-thousand member church called the Potter’s House of Dallas.
His sermons are broadcast each week around the globe… he’s been seen on CNN…. And he’s a multi-millionaire.
Jakes was even on the cover of Time magazine a few years ago.
Kilpatrick no doubt was hoping for some support from Bishop Jakes… perhaps even financial support from Jakes’ or from his followers to help the mayor’s legal defense fund.
The Investigators have learned – Kilpatrick did in fact meet with Jakes this weekend.
But he did not receive any public support.
Bishop Jakes released a statement, saying, quote “the Potter’s House of
Dallas, nor it’s senior pastor Bishop T. D. Jakes has no current or future plans of becoming involved in the legal or business affairs existing between the city of
Detroit, and it’s mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick.”
Despite that strong statement from Bishop Jakes, Mayor Kilpatrick landed at
Metro Airport this afternoon with a smile on his face.
But he was in no mood to answer questions.
<Heather to Mayor> “Mr. Mayor, what was the nature of your meeting in
Dallas.”
Kilpatrick’s executive protection unit officers then proceeded to manhandle Action News photographer Johnny Sartin.. Our producer… and me.
Sgt. Darren Johnson tussled with our photographer for several minutes… even though we were just trying to ask questions of a public official in a public building.
Their assaults brought cries of outrage from several bystanders in the airport, including from one woman who wasn’t afraid to take on the mayor’s bodyguards.
<Exchange between woman and bodyguard>I Don’t know how you get away with this.
Get away with what?
Manhandling him.
I’m not manhandling him.
We all saw it! It’s awful –we saw it the whole way, it was just awful.
And I’m glad you feel that way – there are 2 sides to every story. That’s all I have to say.
You can not man handle another person.
I’m a police officer (performing a duty) – Hey hey,
they can not impede our progress.
Oh baloney – citizens arrest here.
I appreciate your comments I really do – but there are 2 sides to every story.
They’re not manhandling – he’s not touching him.
<End Exchange>
Even though the mayor would not answer questions at the airport, later in the day at a press conference he told reporters that his trip was not paid with
taxpayer money, and his trip was spiritually enriching.
<Mayor Kilpatrick>
Well, I can tell you that it didn't have any tax payer funds -- paid for -- none -- by the city. I did some business and some private. It was a very productive and spiritually enriching trip.
Late today, the Mayor’s office called us to say he never requested support on his trip.
It was simply to attend services.
But it was Bishop Jakes’ church that confirmed that the mayor asked for a meeting with the powerful preacher.
