(WXYZ) - Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Thursday faced a judge for his latest restitution hearing. But when he arrived in Detroit Wednesday, he faced our Chief Investigate Reporter Steve Wilson, who was the only reporter to greet Kilpatrick as he stepped off a plane from Dallas.
Whether or not Steve was the welcoming party he expected at Metro Airport this afternoon, Kilpatrick could not have been more gracious.
Wilson: How are you?
Kwame Kilpatrick/Fmr. Detroit Mayor: I really have nothing to say, Steve.
But then as we walked, he did talk, making no excuses for his misconduct as mayor or what he’s done since pleading guilty.
Kilpatrick: This has been a real transition and a real effort of character development for me so I’m not denying any part of what I have a responsibility to do. I’m not missing any of the rules and I’m doing what I’m supposed to do Steve. I made a decision a long time ago even before I walked into the jail cell that it was just time for me to move forward.
His only wrongdoing, he says?
Kilpatrick: A woman that I respect and love very much and did a great job for the City of Detroit, our relationship went too far and that’s what I did. The rest…
Wilson: That’s the only wrong?
Kilpatrick: The rest of this stuff, you know, it’s something that I think will come out over time, I think…Oh, and I lied about it. I raised my hand and I lied about it a court of law.
He said he knew nothing about the published report of a businessman who’s reportedly told the FBI he paid $10,000 to Kilpatrick’s Civic Fund and in return the then-mayor urged a city pension fund to invest millions in the donor’s company.
Wilson: You don’t know John Orecchio, principal in AA Capital partners?
Kilpatrick: Not that I know of… I’m sure I’ve made some other mistakes of judgment.
Wilson: But I mean taking a bribe would be breaking the law.
Kilpatrick: Whoa Steve, don’t put that out there. I’ve never done anything of the sort, nothing even remotely close…all the rest of this stuff, Steve, quite honestly, as I can say it to you direct, as I repent before God, as I’ve gone through the process I’ve gone through, as I’ve developed, and I believe, leaps and bounds in my character, is crap.
In advance of his restitution hearing, Kilpatrick stressed he’s already re-paid the city $90,000 in seven months, and listen now to how he says he’s come to terms with his own wrongdoing.
Kilpatrick: I was anointed to do a job in the city of Detroit and my gift and my anointment took me to a place where my character couldn’t keep me.
And as for many Detroiters harboring anger about his keeping house now in this Texas mansion?
Wilson: I’m trying to understand if you understand.
Kilpatrick: Oh I do…
Wilson: How people see you living like that where while they’re here…
Kilpatrick: I know there are some people that do. I think there are some people that are very happy and proud but I think there are some people that could be upset and I’m sorry that those people, I don’t know what I could do.
His plane was half-an-hour early, so he killed the time having his pictures taken with people who still consider him famous—or infamous.
Kilpatrick: I would love to come to Detroit, talk to Detroiters, talk to you all. I love this town and I’ll be back. I’ll be back!
But not, he insists, to face any more charges. All that, he says, is in his rear view mirror. Family life with Carlita and the boys is fine, he says. But the children would all prefer to be back here in Detroit, despite their fine lifestyle in the Lone Star State.
If you have a tip for the Action News Investigative Team, contact us wilson@wxyz.com or at (248) 827-9466.
