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 | email
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 13 2013 11:46 AM EDT2013-03-13 15:46:16 GMT
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
Bernard Kilpatrick was only convicted of filing a false tax return. Watch the undercover video in Taryn Asher's report and see if you think he is guilty of something more.
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.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:46:26 GMT
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Bugs are important to our environment and can even tell us about our water quality. That's why dozens on local students have been taking part in bug hunts.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:57 PM EDT2013-05-23 00:57:50 GMT
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Prosecutors have now filed charges against Myron Williams, a next door neighbor to a woman found strangled in Grosse Pointe Park, but the counts do not include murder.
Kwame Kilpatrick (Credit: WJBK)
