Kilpatrick friend: Ferguson gave him $90,000 for 'Black' at Detroit hotel
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By M.L. Elrick, Fox 2 News Investigative Reporter - bio | email
Kwame Kilpatrick (Credit: WJBK)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has lots of friends, but Mahlon Clift may not be one of them after today. Clift introduced Kilpatrick to his future wife, Carlita, while they were at Florida A&M. That's not a crime. It's what happened years later that landed Clift on the witness stand.
It was in a hotel that Clift said Bobby Ferguson gave him $90,000 and told him hold on to this for "Black".
Clift testified that "Black" was Ferguson's nickname for Kilpatrick. Prosecutors say they meet at The Atheneum Hotel in Greektown where Ferguson essential turned Clift into a courier to deliver ill-gotten gains to Kilpatrick.
However, Clift was fuzzy on when the meeting happened, and defense attorney Gerald Evelyn questions his creditability.
"There are people that are obviously not telling the truth. That's apparent to me, but I'm not the jury," he said outside of court.
A Detroit officer also testified that Ferguson threatened him in 36th District Court where Ferguson was fighting littering tickets the cop wrote to his company. He said Ferguson and two members of the mayor's security team delivered a chilling message.
"It would be in the best interest for me to dismiss those tickets back then. It was pretty much a threat on the family, my kids," said Michael Fountain.
Fox 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton said the cop's testimony might be compelling, but it doesn't quite make the racketeering case.
"Bobby Ferguson was strong arming this poor officer that writes tickets to clean up the trash. I mean, it is a little sad there, but does it rise to the level of racketeering? The jury's still out."
So far what we've seen is defense attorneys trying to poke holes in the testimony of these witnesses. They've picked at loose threads and tried to unravel the whole sweater. It hasn't quite happened yet.
Testimony will resume on Thursday after the Jewish holiday.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:15:25 GMT
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
Monday, April 29 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-04-30 02:14:03 GMT
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs. Unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs, raising concerns about safety and government waste. Most folks have heard of the "bridge to nowhere." Now, unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Wednesday, April 17 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-04-18 00:10:55 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Friday, March 22 2013 11:53 PM EDT2013-03-23 03:53:16 GMT
Bobby Ferguson wants to be free of federal prison pending his sentencing in the city hall corruption trial. Meanwhile, his attorney wishes to withdraw from another case.
Bobby Ferguson wants to be free of federal prison pending his sentencing in the city hall corruption trial. Meanwhile, his attorney wishes to withdraw from another case.
Friday, March 15 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-03-16 00:02:44 GMT
Taxpayers this week got an unexpected dividend from the conviction of Bobby Ferguson on racketeering charges -- cash, property and equipment worth up to $1 million.
Taxpayers this week got an unexpected dividend from the conviction of Bobby Ferguson on racketeering charges -- cash, property and equipment worth up to $1 million.
Wednesday, March 27 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-03-27 10:47:24 GMT
An attorney for Kwame Kilpatrick says his client has suffered a serious knee injury behind bars and is asking the court to release the former Detroit mayor prior to his formal sentencing in a public corruption trial.
An attorney for Kwame Kilpatrick says his client has suffered a serious knee injury behind bars and is asking the court to release the former Detroit mayor prior to his formal sentencing in a public corruption trial.
Monday, March 18 2013 10:06 PM EDT2013-03-19 02:06:20 GMT
He's only been in prison for a week, but already Kwame Kilpatrick wants to go home. An attorney has filed a motion asking that Kilpatrick get a break from prison before he is sentenced.
He's only been in prison for a week, but already Kwame Kilpatrick wants to go home. An attorney has filed a motion asking that Kilpatrick get a break from prison before he is sentenced.
Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:46 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:46:16 GMT
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 6:41 PM EDT2013-03-12 22:41:08 GMT
Defense attorney John Shea said his client, Bernard Kilpatrick, was feeling "pretty lousy" for his son, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was convicted on Monday.
Defense attorney John Shea said his client, Bernard Kilpatrick, was feeling "pretty lousy" for his son, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who was convicted on Monday.
Monday, March 11 2013 11:40 PM EDT2013-03-12 03:40:32 GMT
Huel Perkins and Charlie Langton are joined by M.L. Elrick, Sam Riddle and Steve Hood to discuss the verdict in the Kilpatrick corruption case, the fallout and what it means for the Detroit's future.
Huel Perkins and Charlie Langton are joined by M.L. Elrick, Sam Riddle and Steve Hood to discuss the verdict in the Kilpatrick corruption case, the fallout and what it means for the Detroit's future.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:03:31 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:54:31 GMT
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. The shooter, in a gold truck, is still on the loose.
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. We're told a group of 10 people were drinking and partying outside the house when a gold truck rolled down the street and started firing.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:52:35 GMT
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Let It Rip Weekend: Doggy Insurance, Pit Bull Bans & $15 Minimum Wage
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:33:58 GMT
This time we're talking about a new requirement in Royal Oak that has some dog owners taking out $1 million insurance policies on their pooches. Plus, Waterford Township is considering repealing their
Should owners of dangerous dogs have to take out $1 million insurance policies? Are pit bull bans a good idea? Plus, should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:01:16 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
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Kwame Kilpatrick (Credit: WJBK)
