Kilpatrick's Cousin Ordered To Repay Manoogian Fund

DETROIT (WWJ) - A judge says a cousin of former Detroit Mayor Kilpatrick must pay back the money she allegedly stole from a Manoogian Mansion charity.

The 40-year-old Nneka Cheeks, of Livonia, is accused of taking more than $34,000 in charitable funds for her own use. She has now been ordered to return the money, with interest, to the Manoogian Mansion Restoration Society, and to pay damages -- a total of over $138,000.

Investigators said Cheeks used her position as Kilpatrick's liaison to the fund to access the fund to pay $3,600 toward her wedding reception at the Roostertail, $2,619 to the Jewelry Factory for a 1.25 carat loose diamond and her husband' wedding band, $3,943 to pay off debt for an unnamed relative,  $1,140 to 'Brides Made Fit' for personal training, $450 to Allure Medical Spa for mesotherapy cosmetic injections, $4,025 in cash withdrawals, and $1,300 to Michigan Veterinary Specialists for care of her dog, "Trouble."

Cheeks faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on a racketeering charge.