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WSU Hosting Summit On Public Corruption

DETROIT (WWJ) - A public corruption summit is being held today at Wayne State University in Detroit.

The summit comes on the heels of the sentencing last week of Detroit's ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and of his father Bernard Kilpatrick and contractor Bobby Ferguson. It's being convened by U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade.

"We have an entire unit dedicated just to focusing on public corruption cases," McQuade said. "Unfortunately, we have had lots of work to do, but I'm hopeful that when we send these powerful messages with lengthy sentences in public corruption cases, that will deter people from committing these crimes in the future."

Summit moderator, Bankole Thompson, editor of the Michigan Chronicle applauds the effort at a time when Detroit is seeking new leadership as it wriggles in unchartered waters.

"This summit is timely because Detroit needs to make public integrity and accountability the central focus of its governance aspirations," Thompson said. "What this city has gone through in the last decade should not repeat itself because leaders owe it to the next generation to leave a legacy of integrity and enduring positive achievements. And that begins by building an honest government."

Quicken Loans founder and CEO Dan Gilbert will talk about Detroit's future and the private sector's role in ensuring the public trust.

Rob Davidek, News & Program Director of WWJ Newsradio 950, will serve as one of the panelists.

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