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Detroit Mayor to City: I'm Sorry!

But he won't resign, despite affair and possible perjury charges

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 31, 2008 3:22 AM CST

(Newser) – Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick apologized to Detroit on television last night following news earlier this month of an extramarital affair that he insisted under oath did not exist. "I want to say to the citizens of this great city: I'm sorry," he said. But despite repeated entreaties for forgiveness, Kilpatrick couldn't say exactly what he was sorry for without risking perjury charges, reports the Detroit Free Press.

Appearing next to his wife, Kilpatrick profusely apologized to his three sons, with whom he said he discussed "very grown up things" in "the hardest conversation" of his life. But he vowed not to resign. "I would never quit on you," he stated. "Ever." The affair was revealed in thousands of steamy text messages to an aide. He denied the affair during testimony in a lawsuit by two cops who claimed they were illegally fired for investigating Kilpatrick.

In this image made from a pool video feed, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick holds the hands of his wife Carlita as she addresses the city from the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Mayor Kilpatrick pleaded for forgiveness from his family and his constituents in an...
In this image made from a pool video feed, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick holds the hands of his wife Carlita as she addresses the city from the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church in Detroit, Wednesday,...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick march outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Amid calls for his resignation over racy text messages to a top aide, the chastened mayor headed to church Wednesday to set about salvaging his image with a televised address....
Supporters of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick march outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Amid calls for his resignation over racy text messages to a top aide,...   (Associated Press)
Lee, a Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick protester, yells outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Protesters and supporters of the Detroit mayor held rallies next to each other.  (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Lee, a Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick protester, yells outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Protesters and supporters of the Detroit mayor held rallies next...   (Associated Press)
Protesters of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick rally outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008.  In the background are Kilpatrick supporters holding their own rally.  (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Protesters of Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick rally outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. In the background are Kilpatrick supporters holding their own rally....   (Associated Press)
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick speaks at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in this Jan. 17, 2008 file photo. Kilpatrick exchanged romantic text messages with top aide, Christine Beatty, contradicting their denials in court that they had romantic ties, a newspaper reported Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2008. A conviction...
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick speaks at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in this Jan. 17, 2008 file photo. Kilpatrick exchanged romantic text messages with top aide, Christine Beatty,...   (Associated Press)
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