Former Kilpatrick aide may talk to FBI

DETROIT, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A guilty plea by an assistant to former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick may signal he's ready to testify against the ex-mayor, The Detroit News reported.

After DeDan Milton pleaded guilty to bribery Tuesday and agreed to cooperate with the FBI, his lawyer, W. Otis Culpepper, told the newspaper his client was misquoted last month when he reportedly said, "I will never talk to the FBI about Mayor Kilpatrick."

Milton, 37, wouldn't comment after pleading guilty to taking about $16,000 in kickbacks in connection with two city land sales, the News said. But Culpepper said his client was misquoted by both the News and the Detroit Free Press about not testifying.

"We are going to live up to our commitment to fully cooperate with the government pursuant to their promise," Culpepper told the newspaper, which said the comments signaled a possible reversal of Milton's earlier vow.

Milton's guilty plea to bribery conspiracy charges normally would bring a five-year prison sentence, but Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Chutkow said prosecutors will recommend a lesser sentence on May 13 if he provides substantial help against Kilpatrick, whom prosecutors say is avoiding paying restitution by hiding his true income.