Federal Court Approves Restitution Deal for Kilpatrick, Ending Efforts to Declare Balance Paid in Full
A federal court has approved a restitution deal for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, allowing authorities to continue collecting more than $823,000 from the disgraced politician. The agreement brings an end to Kilpatrick's efforts to have his remaining balance declared paid in full.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kilpatrick is subject to an amended judgment requiring restitution of approximately $1.7 million. The federal government has enforced this obligation through ongoing garnishment efforts, with prosecutors intensifying their actions in December 2025. As part of the stipulated agreement, Kilpatrick waived his right to a hearing under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act and agreed that his pension benefits and other income are subject to garnishment.
The court approved two sealed orders tied to the stipulation, one authorizing a final order of continuing garnishment involving the Michigan Legislative Retirement System, and another approving a payment plan in Kilpatrick's criminal case. These filings were sealed due to "detailed information concerning defendant's finances," according to court documents.
Kilpatrick's previous claims that his remaining restitution balance was closer to $155,000 are no longer relevant, as the court-approved agreement has set the balance at $823,649.09. The judge declined to rule on Kilpatrick's pending motions, formally determining they were "denied as moot."
The case against Kilpatrick began in 2013, when he was convicted on 24 federal counts stemming from corruption during his time as mayor. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison and later granted clemency by then-President Donald Trump in January 2021 after serving seven years.
However, Kilpatrick's troubles are far from over. Federal prosecutors have continued pursuing restitution through additional actions, including filings in September 2025 involving individuals connected to earlier restitution obligations. With the restitution balance now fixed and collection mechanisms approved, the court's order closes Kilpatrick's latest challenge while allowing federal enforcement to move forward.
A federal court has approved a restitution deal for former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, allowing authorities to continue collecting more than $823,000 from the disgraced politician. The agreement brings an end to Kilpatrick's efforts to have his remaining balance declared paid in full.
Under the terms of the agreement, Kilpatrick is subject to an amended judgment requiring restitution of approximately $1.7 million. The federal government has enforced this obligation through ongoing garnishment efforts, with prosecutors intensifying their actions in December 2025. As part of the stipulated agreement, Kilpatrick waived his right to a hearing under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act and agreed that his pension benefits and other income are subject to garnishment.
The court approved two sealed orders tied to the stipulation, one authorizing a final order of continuing garnishment involving the Michigan Legislative Retirement System, and another approving a payment plan in Kilpatrick's criminal case. These filings were sealed due to "detailed information concerning defendant's finances," according to court documents.
Kilpatrick's previous claims that his remaining restitution balance was closer to $155,000 are no longer relevant, as the court-approved agreement has set the balance at $823,649.09. The judge declined to rule on Kilpatrick's pending motions, formally determining they were "denied as moot."
The case against Kilpatrick began in 2013, when he was convicted on 24 federal counts stemming from corruption during his time as mayor. He was sentenced to 28 years in prison and later granted clemency by then-President Donald Trump in January 2021 after serving seven years.
However, Kilpatrick's troubles are far from over. Federal prosecutors have continued pursuing restitution through additional actions, including filings in September 2025 involving individuals connected to earlier restitution obligations. With the restitution balance now fixed and collection mechanisms approved, the court's order closes Kilpatrick's latest challenge while allowing federal enforcement to move forward.
anyway, so it's official, Kwame got a slap on the wrist for his shady dealings in Detroit and now he's stuck with $1.7 million in restitution payments... guess that whole 'being a mayor' thing didn't pay off 
meanwhile, I'm over here thinking why did he even bother trying to scale back his debt? all that effort just to keep it under wraps 
I mean, what's up with this guy? He got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, served 7 yrs, gets clemency from Trump... but still owes $$s. Like, how do you get away with stuff like that and then try to weasel out of it? His 'balance' is now $823k... yeah right! 
He should just cough up already. It's not like he's struggling or anything... retired politician, make a buck or two 
. Now he gets to keep on collecting his pension benefits and other income while still owing the feds over $1.7 million? It's just not right, you feel me? I think the court should've been like "nah, pay it all up, Kwame" 
guess u cant escape the law 4eva 
The court finally put their foot down and made him pay up, so now the feds can keep collecting 
. It's about time he faced the music for his crimes 
. Anyway, it's all good that Kilpatrick won't be able to declare balance paid in full anymore, so we can put this chapter behind us #JusticeForThePeople #NoMercyForCorruptPoliticians #PayUpKwame
. Now, what's next? Are they gonna go after anyone else involved?
. It's never too late to learn from our past and make amends; we just gotta be willing to face the consequences 
.
that sounds brutal i feel bad 4 the dude cuz he did some messed up stuff while he was mayor but still... it just shows u cant outrun the law forever 
. The fact that he was in prison for 7 years before getting clemency just makes me think there's more to the story than what we're being told...
But I think about it like this: Kilpatrick got off pretty light compared to what he could've faced. He's only serving 28 years in prison, which is still a long time, but considering the crimes he committed... anyway.
. So yeah, I think this deal is a step in the right direction! 
he should've thought of that before he got caught red-handed 
The fact that his pension and other income are now subject to garnishment is just harsh. He's already serving time in prison, but it feels like there's more to deal with.
) for everyone involved?