Judge denies requests from Kwame Kilpatrick, Bobby Ferguson to end supervised release early

Both men were released from prison in 2021

DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson were denied their requests to end their supervised release.

Kilpatrick served more than seven years of a 28-year prison sentence for corruption crimes before he was released from federal prison in 2021. Ferguson was granted compassionate release from prison a few months after Kilpatrick’s release due to “extraordinary and compelling reasons warranting a sentence reduction in this case.”

The two were described as a team who committed bribery, extortion and other crimes. Ferguson was sentenced to 21 years in prison after being convicted of extorting millions of dollars during his time as a contractor in Detroit.

Both men asked a federal judge to allow them to step away from supervised release so they can resume their lives. A judge denied both of their requests.

Judge Nancy Edmunds noted in her decision that Kilpatrick has paid about $5,000 to the city and still owes $192,403.61 of restitution to the IRS. She noted that Kilpatrick has a history of spending his money on a lavish lifestyle rather than paying off his obligations.

She said Kilpatrick and his wife sought to raise $800,000 to purchase a home in a gated, luxury community in Orlando, Florida. The effort was canceled, but she said it demonstrates a desire to resume his former lifestyle rather than a focus on repaying the debts he owes.

Ferguson said he followed his probation and mentored others after getting out of prison. The judge said he owes more than $2.5 million to Detroit and is currently paying $100 a month.

She said she has not identified any new or unforeseen circumstances that would warrant early termination of the supervision.


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.