Corruption convictions and the immediate imprisonment of a big city's former mayor have national news value, with sizable coverage posted already by virtually every major news outlet.
Phrases such as "Widespread Corruption" and "Racketeering" appear alongside Kwame Kilpatrick's name in online reports at The New York Times, USA Today, NPR, Politico, CNN, Slate, the Toronto Sun and dozens of other websites.
In addition, a niche website that typicall focuses on music rather than prosuctions posts a reminder of how Kilpatrick's diamond ear stud and flashy style originally drew attention around the country.
"Detroit Mayor, Kwame Kilpatrick, Guilty of RICO," says a not-quite-accurate headline at AllHipHop.com.
The lead paragraph by Biba Adams, aka Biba the Diva, refers to him correctly as "former mayor." Her 10-paragraph report, attributed to facts from the Detroit Free Press (though without a link), includes theme-specific background:
Kilpatrick was elected mayor of Detroit in 2001 with the support of numerous Hip-Hop artists.
Russell Simmons dubbed the-then 31-year-old, "The Hip-Hop Mayor" due to his youth and charisma. The title proved to be, at times, to be a hindrance. The former mayor was often derided for his diamond stud earring and his "two-way pager."
Vividly phrased reader comments include this prediction from Willis Deqfedt: "Kwame gon do a dime."
