Kilpatrick trial: Prosecutors zero in on payments to Ferguson nonprofit
Posted:
Updated:
By M.L. Elrick, Fox 2 News Investigative Reporter - bio | email
Lisa Shoemaker testified at Kwame Kilpatrick's corruption trial Friday. (Credit: WJBK)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Prosecutors have wrapped up their first full week of building their case for the jury in the Kwame Kilpatrick corruption trial.
One day after the feds questioned pay outs to Kilpatrick's wife, Carlita, prosecutors zeroed in on payments to a nonprofit overseen by Bobby Ferguson's wife, Marilyn.
Friday was Lisa Shoemaker day in federal court. The Michigan budget official testified for more than three hours that state officials didn't like the way Ferguson's Detroit Three Dimensional Community Development Corporation spent state grant money.
$100,000 went to U.N.I.T.E., a company Carlita Kilpatrick created to teach conflict resolution. More than $79,000 went to refurbish a training area at Ferguson's headquarters. $25,000 went for temporary housing for seniors, and more than $20,000 went for professional fees for a total of more than $224,000 in taxpayer money.
Ferguson's wife, Marilyn, told state officials the money was used properly, and defense attorneys countered that if state officials were really concerned about the way the money was spent, they would've tried to get it back.
"Nothing illegal has happened and it's not just because of the presumption of innocence. They've said so. They had concerns. In may have been... ethical concerns, but even if it was an ethical concern, they never followed up on it ethically, and an ethical concern is not a basis for a RICO charge," said Kilpatrick attorney Jim Thomas.
Shoemaker testified that she advised her bosses it wouldn't be worth the effort and urged them to forget about it.
Latest Development in the Kilpatrick Corruption TrialMore>>
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.
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.
Friday, May 17 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-18 02:19:58 GMT
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
It can creep up on you without you realizing it. One day you step on the scale and you're obese. That's what happened to a St. Clair Shores woman who never though she would lose the weight.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:26 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:26:25 GMT
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city.
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit's pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.
Lisa Shoemaker testified at Kwame Kilpatrick's corruption trial Friday. (Credit: WJBK)
