Appeal filed over proceeds from Kilpatrick memoir

DETROIT (AP) -- Lawyers for imprisoned ex-Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick are appealing a judge's order that proceeds from his memoir must go to restitution and the cost of his incarceration. The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press report a brief was filed this week with the Michigan Court of Appeals saying Michigan law that forbids criminals from profiting from their misdeeds is unconstitutional. Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner in June ordered the publishers of "Surrendered! The Rise, Fall and Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick" not to pay Kilpatrick, his family members, agents, or others. He also ordered book proceeds into an escrow account. The Wayne County prosecutor's office sought the escrow account. The office planned to respond to the brief with its own filing. The book is to be released Aug. 1. Published: Thu, Jul 14, 2011