Kilpatrick trial: Friday's focus is Bobby Ferguson's grant money

Prosecution focuses on grant money for Ferguson's company which allegedly was spent illegally

DETROIT – Friday's testimony in the federal trial for former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and three others focused on defendant Bobby Ferguson, Kilpatrick's longtime friend.

Michigan state budget administrators testified about a grant given to a company run by Ferguson and his wife. The company was meant to support youth and senior citizens in Detroit.

However, money allegedly was spent to purchase a house and refurbish an office.

Other testimony this week focused on grant money allegedly used to pay Kilpatrick's wife, Carlita Kilpatrick.

Kwame Kilpatrick's attorney says this testimony does not support charges under the RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

If anything, it may raise questions of ethics.

"We don't think it was unethical. There were no rules in place. But even if it was unethical, and some people said they clearly thought it was, we have a different view," said defense attorney Jim Thomas, representing Kilpatrick. "But let's say they take the view that it was unethical. That's not a predicate for a RICO, that's not a predicate for a crime. That is not a crime.

Kwame Kilpatrick federal trial special section

Bobby Ferguson is one of four defendants facing federal charges in what prosecutors call a criminal empire in Detroit.


-- Bobby Ferguson outside court