The former mayor blamed for driving Detroit to bankruptcy was sentenced to 28 years in prison by a federal judge on Thursday, convicted of 24 counts including tax crimes, bribery, extortion, and racketeering. Kwame Kilpatrick was ordered to serve the maximum recommended sentence, which is one of the toughest ever imposed for a public official. 

Prior to sentencing, Kilpatrick spoke out in his defense, saying he deeply regretted his actions, particularly hurting his family, and taking advantage of his power while Detroit citizens were struggling. And while Kilpatrick is bearing the brunt of Detroit’s recent political and financial troubles, which include being $18 billion in debt, some say he has been made a scapegoat for larger local corruption issues.