Convicted Ex-Detroit Contractor Denied Bond

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A federal judge has denied a request by Bobby Ferguson, a friend of ex-Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, to be released on bond while he awaits sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds made the ruling in an order Thursday, saying he might be a "flight risk."

Federal prosecutors opposed the request from Ferguson.

His defense attorney Mike Rataj, who argued that his client is not a danger to the public, was disappointed with the ruling.

"Where's he gonna go? And his 87-year-old mother put up her house [as collateral] -- as did four other individuals," Rataj said. "I'm just completely, you know, at a loss as to why he's not entitled to a bond. It is what it is."

Ferguson and Kilpatrick are each facing up to 20 years in prison after being found guilty last month on multiple counts of racketeering. Both have now requested and been denied bond.

"Everybody else and their brother would have a bond pending sentencing, but the rules have always been different in this case; for these two," Rataj said.

Rataj said he's "still in a state of shock," and is not sure what will be the next move.

MORE:  Majority Say Kilpatrick Verdict Was 'Just And Fair'

Kilpatrick Family Maintains His Innocence

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)