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Ex-Kilpatrick aide strikes plea deal

Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick. File photo. (UPI Photo/Terry Schmitt)
Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick. File photo. (UPI Photo/Terry Schmitt) | License Photo

DETROIT, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Emma Bell, who had been a longtime fundraiser for ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and agreed to testify against Kilpatrick.

Bell, 66, pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to not paying taxes on more than $500,000 from Kilpatrick fund-raisers, the Detroit Free Press reported.

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As part of a plea deal, she agreed to cooperate in the racketeering case against Kilpatrick and pay $334,236 in taxes and $80,000 in fines.

"Your honor, I received money, and I did not pay taxes on it," Bell told U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds. "That was a stupid thing on my part, and I apologize to the court, but I am guilty."

The plea agreement reveals Bell received a 15 percent commission on money she raised for Kilpatrick's non-profit groups, but then split the commission checks with Kilpatrick, the Free Press said.

Bell is identified only as the "fundraiser" in a Kilpatrick racketeering case who allegedly gave more than $286,000 in cash kickbacks to Kilpatrick between 2003 and 2008. In that case, Kilpatrick, his father and three others are charged with running a criminal enterprise to enrich themselves.

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Bell faces up to 18 months in prison, but prosecutors have offered to cut the term in half, depending on her cooperation, the Free Press said.

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