Court Orders Garnishment Of Donations Kwame Kilpatrick, Wife Received To Buy Florida Home
A federal judge ordered the seizure of funds that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his wife, Laticia Maria McGee, raised in a virtual crowdfunding campaign to purchase a home in Florida and to provide for their newborn son, Kyng Malachi Kilpatrick.
The government’s efforts to collect an outstanding debt come 18 months after former President Donald Trump commuted the ex-mayor’s 28-year prison sentence on racketeering, extortion, bribery and other charges while in office.
The Detroit News reported federal Judge Nancy Edmunds issued separate notices of garnishments July 11-12, informing them that the government will recoup $193,303.61 from their Paypal and Plumfund accounts. As of Tuesday (July 26), the couple, who now reside in Griffin, Ga., failed to file a legal response to the order within the 10-day time limit. They also have 20 days to request a hearing.
Kilpatrick, 52, owes restitution to Detroit taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service. Originally, he was ordered to pay more than $1.5 million to the city and $195,404 to the IRS.
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It doesn’t appear that the couple has a legal leg to stand on to keep the money they’ve raised, former US Attorney Matthew Schneider told local Detroit station WXYZ. Under federal regulations, they would have to convince the court that their circumstances constitute an exception under the law that would prevent the garnishment.
“I’ve looked at the statute, and I’m not seeing any exemptions that would apply,” Schneider said. “It seems to be; this is a straight, pretty clear-cut case.”
The fundraising campaign, which they launched in June, set a goal of $800,000. It’s unclear exactly how much the couple raised. As for the donors, they are unlikely to recoup their money.
“This is more of a consumer protection message for people to realize that if you are going to give money away to somebody, you better be sure they are deserving of the money and they are the actual recipient,” Schneider said. “In this particular case, it looks like although Mr. Kilpatrick is the temporary recipient, this money is going to be garnished, and in the long run, he won’t be the recipient.”
