Former Detroit mayor (and convicted felon) Kwame Malik Kilpatrick has been sentenced to 1 1/2 – 5 years in prison for violating the terms of his probation. Kilpatrick was found guilty in 2008 of lying under oath concerning his affair with this then – chief of -staff, Christine Beatty. The truth about their relationship was later revealed when the Detroit Free Press published racy text messages between the two – coining the term ‘sexting’ – following a whistleblower trial brought against the city by two police officers fired for investigating a wild party at the official mayoral residence – a party later deemed ‘urban legend’ by the state Attorney General.

As part of his probation, Kilpatrick was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution to the city of Detroit, but has made every effort to hide his assets while living in luxury in a ritzy Texas suburb. Kilpatrick claimed he had only $6.00 left after paying for living expenses, while he & his wife drove luxury SUV’s, his children attended private schools, and he gifted his wife with plastic surgery.

After today’s sentencing, Kilpatrick pleaded with the court for leniency, according to WDIV4:
“Your honor, I first want to thank you for the opportunity. Let me just start by saying for whatever I did to cause and give rise to my probation, I apologize. It’s hard to speak to some of the things that have been said about me. Let me start by saying I’m a human being. I’m a real life flesh and blood person,” Kilpatrick told the court.

“Often times when I read about myself or hear about it from the media, I’m extraordinarily confused, because it’s not me. I am not the mayor of the city. The city has a new mayor.”

He paused for a few seconds, closed his eyes and then opened up about his personal life.

“I wasn’t going to do this. But I have to. I cheated on my wife your honor. I met my wife when I was 19-years-old and I knew she was going to be my wife. We planned on having children. The day I became the mayor, the whole focus changed. There’s no one in this courtroom that can understand what its like to be on the global news wire reading text messages that your wife can read,” Kilpatrick told the court.

“I spent a whole year feeling guilty for what I did to my wife, to my kids and to this city. When I walked out of that jail cell in February, the only thing on my mind was to reconcile with my family,” Kilpatrick continued.

He said he attempted to buy back his wife and children’s love and trust by buying them lavish items. But, it wasn’t because he was just spending money to spend it.

Groner quipped back in his sentencing speech.

“Million dollar homes, Escalades, high-end shopping sprees and surgery — you have made it clear that it was more important that you pacify your wife than pay the court,” said Groner.

Kilpatrick went on to tell Groner that he wanted to continue to live his life. He wanted to go to bible study. He said he’s a good guy, a good father and “for once in my life I’m a good husband,” he told the court.

“I want to get out of this city so I can move on. I never thought I would go to jail in my life. I want to be free. I want to continue to be on probation. I want to continue to pay my restitution. I don’t want my kids to be fatherless. I don’t want my wife to be husbandless,” Kilpatrick said.

“I know now that I need to follow the rules,” Kilpatrick said. “I know more than ever. I want to go home your honor, now more than ever.”