Bernard Kilpatrick sentenced to 15 months in prison for tax crime conviction

Kwame Kilpatrick's dad says he has regrets, brought 'misery' to his family

DETROIT – Bernard Kilpatrick was sentenced Thursday to 15 months in prison on a tax crime conviction.

Recap: Courtroom blog from Bernard Kilpatrick's sentencing

Kilpatrick, who is Kwame Kilpatrick's dad, was found guilty of one count of subscribing a false tax return by the same jury that convicted his son and contractor Bobby Ferguson of more serious crimes.

Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison and Ferguson to 21 years last week.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds ordered Bernard Kilpatrick to pay $62,212 in restitution.

His sentence will begin after the first of the year.

--Courtroom sketch by Jerry Lemenu

Edmunds said she would request that he held in Texas, where his son and other family are.

The government had asked for a sentence of somewhere from 27 to 33 months.

READ: Sentencing memo from Bernard Kilpatrick's attorney

Bernard Kilpatrick was charged with racketeering conspiracy, but the jury couldn't reach a verdict. He was acquitted of attempted extortion.

Nonetheless, the government said there was evidence to show the 72-year-old worked closely with his son to strong-arm people who wanted city work.

During his sentencing, Bernard Kilpatrick said he had brought "misery" to his family and had deep regrets bout being involved with "this thing."

Special Section: Kwame Kilpatrick's federal trial and sentencing