Ep 6. Detroit's "Crime Boss" Mayor

Detroit’s “Crime Boss” Mayor is the sixth episode of the eighth season of the TV show American Greed. The episode focuses on the story of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his elaborate criminal enterprise that caused significant damage to the city and its economy.

Kwame Kilpatrick was an up-and-coming political star, becoming the youngest-ever Detroit mayor at only 31 years old. He was elected to office in 2001 and re-elected in 2005, promising to bring economic development and job opportunities to the struggling city. However, as he rose in political power, Kilpatrick’s corrupt schemes began to unravel.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, journalists, and those involved in Kilpatrick’s schemes, the episode details how the former mayor used his position of power to enrich himself and his inner circle at the expense of the taxpayers. Kilpatrick was involved in a range of criminal activities, including bribery, extortion, and racketeering.

One of Kilpatrick’s most significant crimes was his involvement in a major city contract scheme. He steered city contracts to his cronies in exchange for kickbacks and bribes, draining city funds and hindering the progress of legitimate development projects. In one instance, Kilpatrick arranged for a contractor to inflate their bid for a city sewer project, pocketing the excess funds for himself.

Kilpatrick’s criminal enterprise also involved the misuse of public funds. He used his position to misuse $8 million of city funds, including using a city credit card for extravagant personal expenses, such as upscale restaurants and vacations. In one instance, Kilpatrick and his friends spent $24,000 in taxpayer money on a luxurious weekend trip to Las Vegas.

The former mayor’s corruption extended beyond his work with city contractors and public funds. Kilpatrick also engaged in criminal activity during his re-election campaign in 2005, which he won by a narrow margin. He bribed his former lover, a city contractor, to stay silent about their affair, and he also ordered the police to harass and intimidate his political opponents.

The episode highlights how Kilpatrick’s corruption had significant consequences for the city of Detroit. His criminal enterprise had a direct impact on the city’s economy, as the funds that were diverted away from legitimate development projects could have been used to help revitalize the city’s struggling neighborhoods. Additionally, Kilpatrick’s corruption resulted in the city’s reputation being severely tarnished, further impeding its ability to attract new investment and development.

Detroit’s “Crime Boss” Mayor provides a detailed examination of a corrupt political figure and the damage his actions caused to a major American city. Through interviews with those involved in the case and a deeper exploration of Kilpatrick’s corruption, the episode sheds light on the need for greater accountability and transparency in local government. The consequences of unchecked corruption can be severe and long-lasting, as seen in the case of Kwame Kilpatrick and the city of Detroit.