DETROIT MAYOR OFFERS TO LEAVE OFFICE: Kilpatrick also says he'll pay fine and perform community service in exchange for zero jail time.

(September 2, 2008)

*The Detroit News is reporting that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is offering to plead guilty to one or two felonies, leave office, pay a fine and restitution and perform community service – all on the condition that he does not go to jail, a source close to his legal team said Sunday.
Frustrated by what they consider stubbornness by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in ongoing plea talks, the mayor's lawyers have offered to bring in facilitators -- perhaps a judge or well-respected legal figure -- to review the offer, the source said.
The hope is to persuade Worthy that the deal is "politically palatable" and similar to penalties anyone facing similar felonies would receive, the source said.
Worthy has consistently maintained Kilpatrick must do jail time. Last week, talks broke down when she suggested he serve four to six months as part of the deal that would resolve eight felonies stemming from the text-message scandal that erupted in January.
Kilpatrick, who spent one day in jail in early August, is willing to leave office but remains adamant that he doesn't want to serve more time, sources close to him said. He faces felonies that are punishable by 15 years in prison.