Detroit (WWJ) -- Criminal charges were filed today against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty in connection with the "text message scandal" that has enveloped the Mayor's office.
There are 12 criminal counts in all, including obstruction of justice, conspiracy, misconduct in office and perjury.
"It is perjury if there is lying, and perjury is a crime," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in announcing the charges, "Even children understand that lying is wrong."
"Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, peoples lives were ruined," said Worthy, downplaying the arguments of those who claimed that the mayor's alleged affair with his chief of staff was a "private matter."
Worthy says their investigation has lead to other potential defendants, and they will continue with their investigation.
"We have taken instructions and orders from no one," said Prosecutor Worthy, who said they reviewed 40 thousand pages of documents, and talked to many witnesses.
"We started out with clean slates and clean minds," said Worthy, who told reporters they made a thorough decision, "Our decision is well reasoned, supported by the evidence and autonomous."
Worthy's been investigating claims they lied under oath during a whistle-blowers' trial last summer when they denied having a romantic relationship. Published excerpts of sexually explicit text messages left on Beatty's city-issued pager in 2002 and 2003 appear to contradict their testimony.
To read the official release detailing the charges, click here.
Kilpatrick has said he expects to be vindicated.
A conviction of lying under oath can bring up to 15 years' imprisonment. Detroit's charter calls for the mayor to be removed from office if convicted of a felony.
Prosecutor Worthy says that she and her staff have pored over more than 40,000 pages of documents since late January when the Detroit Free Press published excerpts of the sexually explicit text messages left on Beatty's city-issued pager in 2002 and 2003.
The messages contradict statements Kilpatrick and Beatty gave under oath during last summer's whistle-blowers' trial when each denied a romantic relationship.
Worthy says her investigation has been ``all encompassing'' in terms of possible charges and individuals looked at for possible wrongdoing.
"Certainly, we looked at the coverage and the transcripts (of the trial), among many other things,'' Worthy said, prior to making the announcement, adding that copies of the text messages also have been reviewed. She refused to comment on their contents.
"There is nothing happy about this situation,'' Worthy said, "Something like this is just not good for anyone. It's tragic for the city, whether we charge or not. What happens in this city, county and region is very important to me.
"At the same time, it's still not going to stop me from doing what I think is the right thing to do.''
Last Tuesday, Detroit City Council approved a resolution asking the mayor to resign. The mayor has said he will not step down.
Share your thoughts on the scandal. Join WWJ's live chat here.
Click here for the AP Video report.
Click here for previous articles about the text message scandal.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
