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Kwame Kilpatrick's former aide wants probation for cooperating in corruption trial

Derrick Miller wants a sentencing break for testifying against his one-time friend and boss, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

By Kate Stanton

DETROIT, May 28 (UPI) -- Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is serving a 28-year prison sentence on federal corruption charges, including racketeering, bribery and fraud.

But his former friend and aide, Derrick Miller, might fare much better.

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Miller, who was once a member of Kilpatrick's inner circle, faces 10 years in prison for his role in the City Hall corruption scandal.

Federal prosecutors have asked for a 40-month prison sentence because of Miller's cooperation with authorities, but Miller's legal team has argued for probation.

"Mr. Miller respectfully requests that the court impose a non-jail sentence based on his substantial assistance to authorities, his essential and truthful testimony, remorse, and overall history of outstanding public service," his lawyer Byron Pitts said Tuesday.

Miller, 44, met Kilpatrick in high school and went on to become the former mayor's chief administrative officer. He pled guilty to bribery in a deal with prosecutors, who called on him as a key witness against Kilpatrick.

"During five days on the witness stand, Miller provided an insider's firsthand perspective to the jury of a city administration that had cast off its ethical moorings in the pursuit of personal gain. Miller should be punished for his own serious abuses of the public trust," prosecutors wrote in a memo. "But the significant evidence he offered the jury about the grave wrongdoing of others -- corroborated by text messages, city records and other trial witnesses -- warrants a significant downward departure from his guideline range of imprisonment."

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Miller will be sentenced on Thursday.

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