Friday, June 5, 2009
Worthy to seek Kilpatrick hearing today on probation violations

Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News

Detroit -- A motion was to be filed this morning in Wayne County Circuit Court asking a judge to address possible probation violations by former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said a 20-page document will be delivered by her office to the court this morning, but declined through her spokeswoman to reveal details of the complaint. The motion was to be made available through the court clerk's office by 10 a.m.
Kilpatrick may have violated terms of his probation last month by paying only $2,500 of his court-mandated $6,000 monthly payments on $1 million in restitution for obstruction of justice and assault on investigators involved in the text message scandal.
Michigan Department of Corrections officials notified local authorities that Kilpatrick, who now lives in Southlake, Texas, also made a request of his probation agent there to travel to the Middle East as part of a congressional delegation investigating health care for the military in Dubai and Qatar. Corrections authorities here recommended against the trip which was scheduled for May 24 through today.
One of Kilpatrick's lawyers told The News that the trip was canceled and Kilpatrick withdrew his request.
Wayne Circuit Court Judge David Groner, who sentenced Kilpatrick last fall to serve 120 days in jail, pay restitution and surrender his law license and his right to hold public office for five years, will decide whether to hold a hearing on the new matter. If he does, Kilpatrick could be required to return to Detroit where he could face further restrictions or even a return to jail.
Michael Alan Schwartz, a lawyer representing Kilpatrick in an effort to reduce his restitution payments, said the short payment last month was a mistake. Kilpatrick is expected to make up the difference by June 15, the date his next $6,000 is due, Schwartz said.
dguthrie@detnews.com [[313) 222-2548


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