Kwame Kilpatrick on trial, this time in Federal Court - Fox 2 News Headlines

A federal corruption trial begins September 6th, 2012.

In 2010, a federal grand jury handed down the first in a series of four indictments that charged former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick with 33 counts of racketeering, extortion, bribery, fraud, filing false tax returns and income tax evasion.

The most serious charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison. Kilpatrick has denied wrongdoing and said federal prosecutors are out to get him.

Kwame's father Bernard Kilpatrick is believed to have been one of his son's top advisers during his mayoral terms. A federal grand jury accused him of using his ties to the mayor to get money from city contractors.

He was indicted on six counts of racketeering, extortion and filing a false tax return. The most serious charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

One of Kwame's most trusted friends, Bobby Ferguson is accused Ferguson of using his ties to Kilpatrick to force city contractors to pay him millions of dollars, sometimes for work he didn't perform. He was indicted on 14 counts of racketeering, extortion and bribery.

Victor Mercado was hired by Kwame Kilpatrick to run the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. With his salary of $240,000, Mercado made more than even the mayor's $176,000 salary.

Federal investigators said Mercado didn't take any money, but helped the mayor and Ferguson extort millions from city contractors. A federal grand jury indicted him on four counts of racketeering, extortion and obstruction of justice.

FULL TRIAL COVERAGE, CLICK HERE>>