Bernard Kilpatrick

Co-defendant, father of Kwame Kilpatrick

Bernard Kilpatrick, 71, is the father of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. He is divorced from former Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks-Kilpatrick.

Bernard served as Chief of Staff to former Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara and currently operates a consulting firm called Maestro Associates of Detroit.

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Investigators allege that the senior Kilpatrick, through his consulting company Maestro Associates LLC, collected fees, loans or favors including private jet trips to Las Vegas, expensive champagne and cash from companies doing business with the city.

Court records say that witnesses told federal investigators that they felt if they did not hire Bernard Kilpatrick's consulting company, they would either lose their city contact or would be denied any future work with the city.

Bernard Kilpatrick is also accused of pocketing over $600,000 in cash and perks, but did not pay federal income taxes on that money by failing to report it to the Internal Revenue Service.

He along with his son Kwame, Bobby Ferguson and Victor Mercado face several federal charges.

Bernard Kilpatrick is charged with racketeering, extortion, mail fraud, obstruction of justice and malicious threats to extort money.