August 8, 2008

            DETROIT - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced that his office has filed two felony counts against the Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick.  Cox filed the charges following a Michigan State Police investigation into allegations that Kilpatrick assaulted a Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy and an investigator with the Wayne County Prosecutor's office, who were attempting to serve a subpoena to Bobby Ferguson on Thursday, July 24.

            "There is no excuse for assaulting or interfering with an officer in the performance of his or her duty.  These officers were victims of an assault; but our judicial system is no less a victim," said Cox.  "Today's decision is based on the facts, and the facts support the charges."

            Since one of the alleged victims is a Wayne County Sheriff Deputy, Sheriff Warren Evans requested that the Michigan State Police investigate.  The Attorney General's office took the case because the Deputy who was assaulted is assigned to the Wayne County Prosecutor's office and the investigator involved in the assault works for the Prosecutor's office.

            Kilpatrick is charged with two counts of Assaulting or Obstructing a Police Officer.  Each count carries a maximum of two years in prison and/or a fine of not more than $2,000.

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

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