Defense questions federal agent in Kilpatrick Incorporated trial - FOX 35 News Orlando

Defense questions federal agent in Kilpatrick Incorporated trial

Posted: Updated:
  • Elrick's take on the Kilpatrick Trial

  • Monday, March 25 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-03-26 01:58:06 GMT
    The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds.  Among the new information he unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
    The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds.  Among the new information M.L. Elrick unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
  • Monday, March 11 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:16:31 GMT
    Fox 2's M.L. Elrick was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again.  He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
    Fox 2's M.L. Elrick has covered the Kilpatrick incorporated trial from gavel to gavel and was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again.  He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
  • Thursday, March 7 2013 8:14 PM EST2013-03-08 01:14:46 GMT
    "That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit's mayor.  "That does not exist today."  So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again?  We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
    "That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.  "That does not exist today."  So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again?  We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.

Defense attorneys grilled a prosecution witness again Thursday showing her documents trying to prove that the prosecution's case has some holes in it, but in the end it was the prosecution that finished with a flurry.

Agent Carol Paszkiewicz reviewed a slew of documents as defense attorneys tried to blunt the government's claim that Kwame Kilpatrick and Bobby Ferguson were in cahoots.

The defense team suggested that Kilpatrick pushed through contracts not to help Ferguson, but to be sure contractors were paid in case he wasn't re-elected.  They also argued that Ferguson did the work that he was paid for.

However, Paszkiewicz hurt Ferguson's claim he contacted Kilpatrick to be sure minority firms got work, testifying that some of his subcontractors were white suburbanites.

She also said there was only one contractor Kilpatrick discussed city deals with and that was Bobby Ferguson.

"That's not the only way people communicate with one another.  I mean, how do we know?  There was over 300 and some odd thousand text messages.  They haven't looked at all of them.  Okay.  That's been testified to, and so nobody can say that for sure," said Ferguson attorney Mike Rataj.

The feds aren't the only ones questioning Ferguson's commitment to minority contractors.  A black contractor sued him Thursday claiming Ferguson and Kilpatrick cost him city work.

Question and Answer


MURRAY FELDMAN: Is this lawsuit likely to affect the outcome of the criminal case?

ELRICK: That's highly unlikely Murray because the jurors are not supposed to know about this kind of thing.  It will probably never cross their consciousnesses, but it will make some of these witnesses a little uncomfortable because not only has this contractor sued Bobby Ferguson and (former) Mayor Kilpatrick, they've sued some of the people who testified that they gave Ferguson and Kilpatrick gratuities to help to keep the city work coming.

FELDMAN: What is it that you're hearing about a new chapter in the corruption case?

ELRICK: Tomorrow the feds are expected to talk about what they say are dirty deals involving a city recreation center.

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:48 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:48:26 GMT
    Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
    Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:44:35 GMT
    Wednesday evening's storms caused some damage and knocked out power to thousands of DTE Energy customers.
    Wednesday evening's storms caused some damage and knocked out power to thousands of DTE Energy customers.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 6:40 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:40:29 GMT
    One man is dead and another injured after their stolen vehicle crashed into a utility pole following a police pursuit on Detroit's southwest side.
    One man is dead and another injured after their stolen vehicle crashed into a utility pole following a police pursuit on Detroit's southwest side.
Powered by WorldNow

35 Skyline Drive
Lake Mary, FL 32746

Phone: (407) 644-3535
News Tips: (866) 55-FOX35

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices