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Kilpatrick emails reveal undisclosed cash

DETROIT, March 1 (UPI) -- Deliberations resumed in the trial of ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and two others and it was revealed an investigation found more undisclosed cash gifts.

Kilpatrick, his father Bernard Kilpatrick and contractor Bobby Ferguson are on trial on corruption charges and could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

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The jury began its ninth day of deliberations Friday following a five-month trial.

A state investigation indicated Kilpatrick identified more previously secret donors who gave him $6,700 in cash hidden from parole officers and not applied toward the $854,000 he was ordered to pay Detroit, The Detroit News reported.

The News said it obtained emails between Kilpatrick and his parole agent in which the payments and donors were revealed. Kilpatrick said the money was to help his family.

Among the donors in the email made public Thursday were former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Conrad Mallett Jr., who gave $1,000, and Kilpatrick's mother, ex-U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who contributed $5,000.

Russ Marlan, a Corrections Department spokesman, told The News, "It's perfectly clear: He was required to disclose it."

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Kilpatrick said he received the gifts before September 2012, arguing he didn't have to disclose the donations because he got them while being supervised by Texas officials.

The emails also revealed Kilpatrick repeatedly sought permission to fly to Texas during breaks in the corruption trial in Detroit to be with his family.

"My wife and children love me very much," a Feb. 19 request to parole agent Charles Wright said. "I want to be a present husband to my wife, and a much needed powerful presence for my [three sons] Please allow me to go home!"

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