Kilpatrick friend: Ferguson gave him $90,000 for 'Black' at Detroit hotel
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By M.L. Elrick, Fox 2 News Investigative Reporter - bio
Kwame Kilpatrick (Credit: WJBK)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has lots of friends, but Mahlon Clift may not be one of them after today. Clift introduced Kilpatrick to his future wife, Carlita, while they were at Florida A&M. That's not a crime. It's what happened years later that landed Clift on the witness stand.
It was in a hotel that Clift said Bobby Ferguson gave him $90,000 and told him hold on to this for "Black".
Clift testified that "Black" was Ferguson's nickname for Kilpatrick. Prosecutors say they meet at The Atheneum Hotel in Greektown where Ferguson essential turned Clift into a courier to deliver ill-gotten gains to Kilpatrick.
However, Clift was fuzzy on when the meeting happened, and defense attorney Gerald Evelyn questions his creditability.
"There are people that are obviously not telling the truth. That's apparent to me, but I'm not the jury," he said outside of court.
A Detroit officer also testified that Ferguson threatened him in 36th District Court where Ferguson was fighting littering tickets the cop wrote to his company. He said Ferguson and two members of the mayor's security team delivered a chilling message.
"It would be in the best interest for me to dismiss those tickets back then. It was pretty much a threat on the family, my kids," said Michael Fountain.
Fox 2 legal analyst Charlie Langton said the cop's testimony might be compelling, but it doesn't quite make the racketeering case.
"Bobby Ferguson was strong arming this poor officer that writes tickets to clean up the trash. I mean, it is a little sad there, but does it rise to the level of racketeering? The jury's still out."
So far what we've seen is defense attorneys trying to poke holes in the testimony of these witnesses. They've picked at loose threads and tried to unravel the whole sweater. It hasn't quite happened yet.
Testimony will resume on Thursday after the Jewish holiday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:38 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:38:56 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick, now a convicted felon, officially fired his longtime attorney Jim Thomas on Thursday. It's a move that will delay the former mayor's sentencing.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:36:39 GMT
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Innuendo, sexual advances and an overnight stay in Lansing -- a politician's former aide claims he had to endure a nightmare on the job. Now a sexual harassment lawsuit has been filed against Rep. Brian Banks.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Thursday, May 16 2013 12:15 AM EDT2013-05-16 04:15:25 GMT
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
State Representative Brian Banks has been in Lansing for less than five months, but some of his actions are already raising questions about his judgment.
Monday, April 29 2013 10:14 PM EDT2013-04-30 02:14:03 GMT
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs. Unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Ten air traffic controllers at City Airport are facing layoffs, raising concerns about safety and government waste. Most folks have heard of the "bridge to nowhere." Now, unless federal bureaucrats act fast, Detroit could soon be known as the home of the "elevator to nowhere."
Wednesday, April 17 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-04-18 00:10:55 GMT
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Kwame Kilpatrick's conviction on public corruption charges seemed to grant the former mayor's wish that Detroit could move forward, but this drama will have a second act -- his sentencing.
Friday, March 22 2013 11:53 PM EDT2013-03-23 03:53:16 GMT
Bobby Ferguson wants to be free of federal prison pending his sentencing in the city hall corruption trial. Meanwhile, his attorney wishes to withdraw from another case.
Bobby Ferguson wants to be free of federal prison pending his sentencing in the city hall corruption trial. Meanwhile, his attorney wishes to withdraw from another case.
Friday, March 15 2013 8:02 PM EDT2013-03-16 00:02:44 GMT
Taxpayers this week got an unexpected dividend from the conviction of Bobby Ferguson on racketeering charges -- cash, property and equipment worth up to $1 million.
Taxpayers this week got an unexpected dividend from the conviction of Bobby Ferguson on racketeering charges -- cash, property and equipment worth up to $1 million.
Wednesday, March 27 2013 6:47 AM EDT2013-03-27 10:47:24 GMT
An attorney for Kwame Kilpatrick says his client has suffered a serious knee injury behind bars and is asking the court to release the former Detroit mayor prior to his formal sentencing in a public corruption trial.
An attorney for Kwame Kilpatrick says his client has suffered a serious knee injury behind bars and is asking the court to release the former Detroit mayor prior to his formal sentencing in a public corruption trial.
Monday, March 18 2013 10:06 PM EDT2013-03-19 02:06:20 GMT
He's only been in prison for a week, but already Kwame Kilpatrick wants to go home. An attorney has filed a motion asking that Kilpatrick get a break from prison before he is sentenced.
He's only been in prison for a week, but already Kwame Kilpatrick wants to go home. An attorney has filed a motion asking that Kilpatrick get a break from prison before he is sentenced.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Friday, May 24 2013 1:29 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:29:01 GMT
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted.
School officials say an earlier lockdown at three schools in Allen Park Friday has been lifted. Officials say police gave the all-clear at Allen Park Middle School, Lindemann Elementary and Riley Education Center around 12:40 p.m. Friday.
Kwame Kilpatrick (Credit: WJBK)
