Kilpatrick fundraiser likely to face questions about her conduct - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Kilpatrick fundraiser likely to face questions about her conduct

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  • Elrick's take on the Kilpatrick Trial

  • Monday, March 25 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-03-26 01:58:06 GMT
    The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds.  Among the new information he unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
    The lead FBI agent on the Kilpatrick case spoke to the reporter that broke most of the stories about the former mayor's misdeeds.  Among the new information M.L. Elrick unearthed is what the feds called their investigation.
  • Monday, March 11 2013 7:16 PM EDT2013-03-11 23:16:31 GMT
    Fox 2's M.L. Elrick was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again.  He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
    Fox 2's M.L. Elrick has covered the Kilpatrick incorporated trial from gavel to gavel and was in the courtroom when Kwame Kilpatrick heard the words guilty over and over again.  He said the former mayor's "jaw dropped" as the verdict was read.
  • Thursday, March 7 2013 8:14 PM EST2013-03-08 01:14:46 GMT
    "That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit's mayor.  "That does not exist today."  So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again?  We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.
    "That pay-to-play was horrible," said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing.  "That does not exist today."  So what's being done to make sure it doesn't happen again?  We went looking for answers, and you'll be surprised at what we found.

DETROIT -- Kwame Kilpatrick's chief fundraiser is expected to testify Thursday that she gave kickbacks to the former mayor, but Emma Bell will also have to answer more than a few questions about her own conduct.

Bell has problems, gambling problems, drinking problems, tax problems, and maybe even a little problem with the truth.

Bell gambled away more than $2 million at Greektown Casino.  The question is did any of that money end up in the mayor's pocket?

IRS agent Ron Sauer says yes.  He testified Wednesday that Bell kicked back half of every fundraising fee she received that was more than $25,000.

But under cross examination by Kilpatrick attorney Jim Thomas, Sauer acknowledged that her story changed.  She said she gave Kilpatrick half of every fee worth $5,000 or more.

Defense attorney Jim Thomas asked, "What was her justification?"

Sauer replied, "She didn't want to make Mayor Kilpatrick look petty by accepting cash kickbacks of less than $5,000."

Thomas also asked Sauer if it was possible Bell actually gambled away the money she said she gave to Kilpatrick.

Sauer said he considered that, but believes the money ended up as part of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash Kilpatrick collected as mayor.

I asked Thomas to comment on Bell's problems, but for now at least, he's taking the high road.

"Is Emma a drunk gambler or a drunk gambler liar?" I asked him.

"Wow, well, those are hard words.  We'll see what she has to say about that tomorrow," Thomas replied.

Thomas is almost certain to take a much different tone when Bell shows up on the witness stand.  He's certain to bring up Bell's plea deal in her tax evasion case.  She's hoping for a lighter sentence in return for her testimony against Kilpatrick, a man she has reportedly said she considers "like a son".

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Sunday, May 26 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-05-27 02:23:33 GMT
    Newly hired Rutgers University Athletic Director Julie Hermann was hired less than two weeks ago to clean up the athletic department after the university fired its men's basketball coach
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  • Sunday, May 26 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-27 01:17:18 GMT
    Gov. Christie plans to speak with Rutgers officials about a report that the woman hired to clean up the scandal-scarred athletic program quit as Tennessee's women's volleyball coach because of abuse
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  • Sunday, May 26 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-05-27 01:11:26 GMT
    The Town of Huntington held its annual Memorial Day wreath ceremony Sunday honoring those who fought and died for freedom. The ceremony took place on the front lawn of the town hall.
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  • Sunday, May 26 2013 10:22 PM EDT2013-05-27 02:22:47 GMT
    He's 86 years old and he's a true American hero. During World War II, Jack Apostol was the youngest combat soldier in the 70th Infantry Division.
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  • Sunday, May 26 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 22:20:11 GMT
    Redford Township Police need help to identify a man seen assaulting a woman and dragging her out of the Marathon Gas station at Telegraph and Schoolcraft in Detroit.
    Redford Township Police need help to identify a man seen assaulting a woman and dragging her out of the Marathon Gas station at Telegraph and Schoolcraft in Detroit. The attack took place around 4:50am Sunday.
  • Let It Rip Weekend: Teacher Pay, EAA & Kids Keeping Score

    Sunday, May 26 2013 10:28 AM EDT2013-05-26 14:28:17 GMT
    On this episode: Should teacher pay be based on how well their students do on standardized tests?  Plus, is the state's EAA succeeding or failing?  And should little kids keep score during their soccer & t-ball games? 
    On this episode: Detroit Federation of Teachers President Keith Johnson and Tyrone Winfrey with the Education Achievement Authority debate merit pay for teachers. Should they be paid based on their student
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