STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Video: Kwame Kilpatrick Reunites With His Family After Trump Commutes Prison Sentence

The former Detroit mayor was behind bars for seven years.

In 2013, Kwame Kilpatrick was convicted on multiple corruption charges and sentenced to 28 years in prison. On Jan. 20, former President Trump commuted the former Detroit mayor’s sentence and he is now reunited with his family. 

According to Click on Detroit, the 50-year-old father of three met with his family in Georgia. 

Watch the video below:

Kilpatrick resigned from office after a text messaging scandal revealed an illicit affair with his chief of staff. Further investigation revealed illegal activity and he was eventually convicted on 24 federal felony counts, which included mail fraud, wire fraud and racketeering. He was sentenced to 28 years behind bars. Over the past year, rumors had been floated that he would be released from federal prison due to the risk of coronavirus.

RELATED: Alice Johnson Receives Full Pardon From Donald Trump One Day After Her RNC Appearance

Kilpatrick appealed his conviction several times, but each of those attempts failed. Michigan State Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnogo even hand delivered a letter asking for Kilpatrick’s release during a White House event in February 2020.

Gay-Dagnogo said after his release, “I saw a boatload of text messages and calls. I knew it had happened and I was overwhelmed.” 

“Mr. Kilpatrick has served approximately seven years in prison for his role in a racketeering and bribery scheme while he held public office,” the White House statement read

“During his incarceration, Mr. Kilpatrick has taught public speaking classes and has led Bible Study groups with his fellow inmates.”

In a strange twist, Diamond and Silk, fired Fox News personalities who have consistently defended Trump’s racism, are one of the people credited for Kilpatrick’s release, according to the press release

Kilpatrick was not pardoned, his sentence was only commuted. Therefore, he reportedly will still be required to pay millions of dollars in restitution.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.