Judge denies Kilpatrick motion on book profits

DETROIT (AP) -- A judge has denied a motion by Kwame Kilpatrick to change an order that created an escrow account for any profits the recently paroled ex-Detroit mayor gets for his new memoirs. Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner released his opinion Wednesday afternoon. Kilpatrick lawyer Daniel Hajji says the escrow account order violates his client's First Amendment right to free speech and says he'll appeal. Groner says he's only ordering that proceeds from "Surrendered: The Rise, Fall & Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick" go first to pay the $860,000 owed to Detroit in restitution. Kilpatrick agreed to pay the city $1 million as part of his plea to two criminal charges in 2008. Kilpatrick's book arrived in bookstores this month. He left prison Aug. 2 after serving time for obstruction of justice. Published: Fri, Aug 19, 2011