Feds subpoena records from top political Kilpatrick advisers
From Sunshine Review
13 November 2008
In an ever-widening federal investigation, a grand jury has subpoenaed records from two top political advisers to ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. The two men were both paid for political work from the nonprofit Kilpatrick Civic Fund, which was created to improve the city's image and educate voters, but has been a source of controversy.[1]
[edit] The advisers
One subpoena was issued to Adolph Mongo and his company, Mongo and Associates, with the second subpoena going to Bob Berg's firm, Berg Muirhead and Associates. Both men are said to be cooperating, but neither have issued any comments.
Berg was instrumental in planning Kilpatrick's first campaign for mayor in 2001, and has written some of his most important speeches. Investigators want to compare bank records from the Civic Fund with Berg's billing invoices to determine if the fund knew it was paying for political consulting.
Mongo became a top adviser to Kilpatrick during his re-election campaign in 2005. He also received payment for political work from the nonprofit fund.[1]
[edit] Civic Fund scandal
Kilpatrick began his Civic Fund in 1999, when he was a state legislator. Since then, it has raised, and spent, over $1.8 million. During his tenure as mayor, the fund was criticized for questionable contributions and expenditures.
In 2007, officials admitted that $8,605 was used from the fund to put up Kilpatrick's family at a fancy resort in California. Recently released text messages show that Kilpatrick may have also used money from the fund to help pay for a tryst he had in Colorado.
The grand jury seeks to determine if Kilpatrick personally benefited from civic fund expenditures without reporting it on his federal tax return. If so, he could face criminal charges for filing false returns or tax evasion.[1]
[edit] References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Detroit Free Press, Records sought from 2 top Kilpatrick political advisers, November 13, 2008
