Kwame Kilpatrick
The state Department of Corrections is mulling potential punishment for Kwame Kilpatrick because he failed to report a $2,000 gift from a Chicago pastor, The News has learned.
Kilpatrick is required to report gifts as a condition of his parole, because the money could be used toward satisfying the $855,062 in restitution the former mayor owes the city. But Kilpatrick did not disclose it to state prison officials last month, prisons spokesman Russ Marlan said Tuesday.
“We haven’t imposed a sanction yet as we’re still investigating the details surrounding this transaction,” Marlan wrote in an email to The News on Tuesday.
News of the gift emerged late Monday.
Kilpatrick sent a letter to supporters last month asking for money, saying his family was broke and needed money around the holidays, according to a Chicago TV station.
Santa brought Kilpatrick’s kids gifts that included new shoes and keyboard.
Chicago Pastor Corey Brooks wired $2,000 to Kilpatrick in early December. The former Detroit mayor traveled all the way to a Walmart in Chesterfield Township to pick up the money Dec. 11, Marlan told The News.
Afterward, Kilpatrick posted photos on Facebook showing his family opening Christmas presents in front of a towering Christmas tree and posted comments about a lavish spread cooked by his wife Carlita.
Kilpatrick Tweeted his thanks last night.
Sending a big THANK YOU to Pastor @coreybbrooks and The New Beginnings Church Family in Chicago. Carlita & I are humbled by your generosity.
— KwameKilpatrick (@KwameAndFamily) January 8, 2013
This could be the second time in recent weeks that Kilpatrick has violated parole conditions imposed following the text-message scandal.
Kilpatrick’s parole agent barred him from traveling to Texas last month because he made a late $500 restitution payment to the city. Kilpatrick also failed to prove he was performing community service each month.
