And now for the fine print.
Kwame Kilpatrick, in happier days (File photo)
President Trump's last-day commutation of Kwame Kilpatrick's lengthy prison term was the big story for the disgraced former Detroit mayor. But less-noticed in the presidential clemency grant was this detail: Kilpatrick is still on the hook for $4.7 million in unpaid restitution to the City of Detroit.
Tresa Baldas at the Freep reports:
In granting clemency, Trump concluded that Kilpatrick had paid his dues, and that he was not a threat to society.
"It has been made to appear that the ends of justice do not require ... Kwame Malik Kilpatrick to remain confined until his currently projected release date of Jan. 18, 2037, and the safety of the community will not be compromised if he is released," Trump stated in the one-page order dated Jan. 13.
Trump commuted Kilpatrick's prison sentence to time served, but noted: "I leave intact and in effect the remaining unpaid balance of the $4,779,826 restitution obligation, the special assessment of $2,400" and his 3-year term of supervised release.
Detroit may have done set Kilpatrick up for a comeback, but it's going to have its hand in his pocket for quite some time.
