By Mona Austin
REPORTS: Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been released from a federal prison in Louisiana. According to a Friday news release from the Ebony Foundation, Kilpatrick has been granted early release after serving only seven years of his 28- year sentence.
In 2013 he was convicted on 24 felony counts of public corruption involving extortion, bribery, conspiracy and fraud.
Although activists have advocated for his release for several years Kilpatrick is likely being released early due to COVID- 19. An inmate in the facility where he was jailed passed away from the disease earlier this year.
FOX 2 DETROIT REPORT ON KILPATRICK RELEASE
https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/former-detroit-mayor-kwame-kilpatrick-granted-early-release-from-prison-report-says
According to the Associated Press, "the U.S. Bureau of Prisons declined to comment about Kilpatrick, saying only that he remains in custody at the prison in Oakdale, Louisiana. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider in Detroit said he wasn't aware of any plans to release Kilpatrick."
Multiple people sent pleas to President Donald Trump to grant the former mayor clemency, but it was fear of the spread of COVID-19 in the prison setting that led to his early release. Many African Americans cried foul as the president has used his executive privilege to pardon several convicted felons during his time in office -- but not Kilpatrick. Advocates have argued that the punishment-- a 28 year sentence --did not fit the crime. In February, a Michigan state representative hand delivered a parting request to president trump during my black history month celebration of the White House. Others have also supported Kilpatrick's release arguing that Trump should use his authority equally.
It is not know whether the release is temporary and he will have ot return to prison after COVID-19 season.
Fore more background on the support that helped bring the request to the nation's attention, view the interview below.