Criminal charges filed against Detroit mayor for lying under oath!

DETROIT, Michigan - March 24, 2008 - Criminal charges were filed today against Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty in connection with the "text message scandal" that has enveloped the Mayor's office.

There are 12 criminal counts in all, including obstruction of justice, conspiracy, misconduct in office and perjury.

"It is perjury if there is lying, and perjury is a crime,"  said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in announcing the charges,  "Even children understand that lying is wrong."

"Our investigation has clearly shown that public dollars were used, peoples lives were ruined," said Worthy, downplaying the arguments of those who claimed that the mayor's alleged affair with his chief of staff was a "private matter."

Worthy says their investigation has lead to other potential defendants, and they will continue with their investigation.

"We have taken instructions and orders from no one," said Prosecutor Worthy, who said they reviewed 40 thousand pages of documents, and talked to many witnesses.

"We started out with clean slates and clean minds," said Worthy, who told reporters they made a thorough decision, "Our decision is well reasoned, supported by the evidence and autonomous."

Worthy's been investigating claims they lied under oath during a whistle-blowers' trial last summer when they denied having a romantic relationship. Published excerpts of sexually explicit text messages left on Beatty's city-issued pager in 2002 and 2003 appear to contradict their testimony.

Kilpatrick has said he expects to be vindicated.

A conviction of lying under oath can bring up to 15 years' imprisonment. Detroit's charter calls for the mayor to be removed from office if convicted of a felony.