Probation Violation Sends Ex-Detroit Mayor to Prison

Courtroom spectators gasped today when a judge sentenced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to between 1½ and 5 years in prison, far exceeding the sentencing guideline of zero to 17 months for violating his probation. 'This is all because of the actions of you, Mr. Kilpatrick,” Judge David Groner said. “You challenged this court's authority. You attempted to utilize semantics and exploit loopholes.”

Kilpatrick, who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in 2008, was convicted of hiding his assets from the court, allowing him to live in the lap of luxury while on probation, the Detroit News explains. His lawyer intends to appeal the sentence, arguing that the judge admitted to treating Kilpatrick differently than other defendants. “The problem is you are different,” Groner said. “As an elected official, we expected you to set an example. ... You have failed.” (More Kwame Kilpatrick stories.)