Mistrial for Kilpatrick pal Ferguson in bid case

By David N. Goodman Associated Press DETROIT (AP) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Tuesday in the bid-rigging case against a Detroit contractor whose business flourished when Kwame Kilpatrick was mayor. Bobby Ferguson was on trial on accusations he participated in a scheme to rig bids on a housing project to benefit his business. Judge David Lawson acted Tuesday after jurors reported they were deadlocked after seven days of deliberations. The government said it would seek a retrial for Ferguson and five co-defendants. "We are disappointed that these jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, but we appreciate their time and their work," U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade's office said in a statement. "We will try this case again because it is so important to the citizens of Detroit, who deserve so much better." Before the judge's decision, Ferguson lawyer Gerald Evelyn asked Lawson not to request more deliberation, saying that asking the jurors to keep going risked a "coercive verdict." Ferguson also was accused of money laundering and illegally possessing firearms. He's a former felon barred from having guns. The month-long trial included about 50 witnesses and 200 exhibits, including contracts, bank records, checks, guns and safes stuffed with cash. "This was about fraud, deceit and money," Assistant U.S. Attorney J. Michael Buckley told jurors during closing arguments. Ferguson's lawyers said the government's case was built largely through shady witnesses who made plea deals and agreed to testify. Ferguson also faces a corruption trial in September with Kilpatrick and Kilpatrick's father, Bernard. Kwame Kilpatrick quit the mayor's office in 2008. On March 1, authorities said federal, state and local officials would start working more closely to uncover and prosecute public corruption in the Detroit area. For years federal prosecutors have been investigating corruption in Detroit city government. Among those already convicted are ex-City Council President Monica Conyers, her aide Sam Riddle Jr., ex-Detroit deputy mayor Kandia Milton and Milton's brother DeDan Milton. Ex-city water director Victor Mercado and ex-mayoral aide Derrick Miller have been indicted on federal corruption charges. ---------------- Reporter Ed White assisted with this story. Published: Thu, Jun 28, 2012