Ex-Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick arraigned in US court

DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his father sat together as criminal defendants at the first court hearings since prosecutors filed a sweeping indictment that charges them with turning city hall into a den of corruption.

Not-guilty pleas were entered on Monday on behalf of Kilpatrick, Bernard Kilpatrick and three others accused of a multi-year racketeering conspiracy. At a subsequent hearing an hour later, a judge said the "unusual and complex" case won't be on a fast track.

The 89-page indictment returned in December describes a brazen pay-to-play scheme in which the Kilpatricks took kickbacks and bribes to steer city business to certain contractors. Prosecutors call it the "Kilpatrick enterprise."

Defense attorney James Thomas says Kilpatrick is in good spirits and plans to fight the case.