New Mayor Takes Over In Detroit; Kilpatrick Goes On Vacation Before Prison Time

Detroit, MI (AHN) - City Council President Ken Cockrel took over as Detroit's interim mayor at exactly noon on Friday, a little more than two weeks after former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick resigned and pleaded guilty to two felony charges.

"From this moment on, the past is the past and we as a community, as a city, and as a region are moving forward. This is our time to breathe life back into the city," Cockrel said during a remarks at the City Council auditorium, according to the Detroit Free Press.

He was sworn in during a private ceremony two days ago. Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers will take over his post as the council's head on Friday.

Cockrel's tenure begins a new phase for Detroit: there are concerns about the dismissals of 140 employees appointed by the former mayor, and if Conyers' fiery temperament and links to a corruption controversy will impede her leadership as the new council president.

A special primary election will be held on Feb. 24 followed by a runoff on May 5. Whoever wins will complete Kilpatrick's remaining term, which ends in November next year.

Kilpatrick's last day as mayor was on Thursday, the same day a judge removed the travel restrictions against him. The former mayor flew to Dallas, Texas with his family, according to MyFoxDetroit. He begins his 120-day prison sentence on Oct. 28

Kilpatrick pleaded guilty Sept. 4 to two felony charges of obstruction of justice as part of an agreement with prosecutors to have eight other felony counts against him dismissed. The plea came a day after Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm began a hearing on whether he should be removed from office. The plea agreement also requires him pay the city $1 million in restitution.

Kilpatrick faced 10 felony charges in two criminal cases. He was indicted on eight felony charges including perjury and obstruction of justice in March after text messages between him and his former chief of staff, Christine Beatty, revealed that they had both lied under oath during the trial last year to cover-up their extramarital affair. He was also charged with two counts of assault last month after he reportedly tried to stop a sheriff's deputy from serving a subpoena on July 24.

The Council began a movement to impeach him in June, claiming he violated the city charter when he failed to obtain the its approval before agreeing to the settlement in what has been dubbed the Whistleblower Trial.

Kilpatrick had been accused of retaliating against police officers investigating allegations of misconduct against him. One of the officers was Detroit Police Department Internal Affairs Chief Gary Brown, who received an $8.4 million -settlement from the city last year.