Federal authorities will continue collecting more than $823,000 from former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick under a court-approved restitution agreement, ending his attempt to have the remaining balance declared paid in full.
Restitution balance set at $823,649 under sealed agreement
Court records show Kilpatrick is subject to an amended judgment requiring restitution of roughly $1.7 million, an obligation the federal government has enforced through ongoing garnishment efforts. The efforts intensified in December 2025, when prosecutors filed multiple applications for writs of continuing garnishment.
Kilpatrick responded by asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan to modify or terminate restitution and to block further garnishment, asserting that his remaining obligation should be considered satisfied. Before the court addressed the arguments, however, the parties reached a stipulated agreement that reshaped the case.
Garnishment to continue through pension and other income
Under the sealed agreement approved by the court, both sides acknowledged that “the total balance due on the judgment as of Jan. 27, 2026, is $823,649.09.” Kilpatrick also waived his right to a hearing under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act and agreed that “his pension benefits and other income are subject to garnishment.”
The court approved two sealed orders tied to the stipulation. One authorized a final order of continuing garnishment involving the Michigan Legislative Retirement System, and the other approved a payment plan in Kilpatrick’s criminal case. The filings were sealed because they contained “detailed information concerning defendant’s finances,” according to court documents.
Court denies Kilpatrick’s motions as moot
With the agreement in place, the court declined to rule on Kilpatrick’s pending motions, formally determining they were “denied as moot.”
Kilpatrick had previously argued his remaining restitution balance was closer to $155,000, a position that was superseded by the court-approved agreement. Once the stipulation was entered, the judge did not address the substance of Kilpatrick’s claims.
Kilpatrick’s corruption conviction and clemency background
Kilpatrick was convicted in March 2013 on 24 federal counts stemming from corruption during his time as mayor and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. He was granted clemency by then-President Donald Trump in January 2021 after serving seven years and was later re-sentenced to time served with three years of supervised release.
Federal prosecutors pursue additional restitution
Court records show Kilpatrick is currently living in Michigan. Federal prosecutors have continued pursuing restitution through additional actions, including filings in September 2025 involving individuals connected to earlier restitution obligations.
With the restitution balance now fixed and collection mechanisms approved, the court’s order closes Kilpatrick’s latest challenge while allowing federal enforcement to move forward.