DETROIT, June 16 (UPI) -- Convicted former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's book money will be put into an escrow account, a judge said Wednesday.
Wayne County Judge David Groner authorized any profits from the ex-mayor's upcoming book be kept to pay restitution and cover the costs of his incarceration, the Detroit Free Press reports.
"I say it all the time, I want to pay my restitution," Kilpatrick said.
Kilpatrick owes $861,399.80 to the city of Detroit, which the escrow account money would go toward.
Kilpatrick's attorneys contend the order by Groner is unfair, saying he should be able to benefit from his own book, and is unconstitutional because it restricts his free speech.
In a motion filed before the Wednesday hearing, the prosecution said "It is highly unlikely that the defendant can be trusted to voluntarily surrender money toward restitution."
Kilpatrick was convicted for using campaign funds to paying a lawyer to defend him a text message scandal. He was put on probation, but violated the terms and was sentenced to up to five years in prison for obstruction of justice and assaulting a police officer. Kilpatrick has been in a Michigan state prison since May 2010, but could be released as soon as July 24.
He still faces trial on federal corruption charges.
