Former US mayor jailed for lying

The judge said Kilpatrick had shown "hubris and privilege" in his actions

The former mayor of the US city of Detroit has been sentenced to four months in jail for obstructing justice in connection with a sex scandal.

Kwame Kilpatrick, who resigned last month, had admitted to lying under oath to try to cover up an affair with his former chief-of-staff.

The punishment was part of a plea deal under which he also agreed to pay $1m (£500,000) in restitution to the city.

Kilpatrick has also agreed that he will not run for office for five years.

The married former mayor had admitted that he lied under oath while testifying in a civil lawsuit brought by former police officers who had accused him of illegally demoting or sacking them.

He and his former aide, Christine Beatty, had both denied that they were having an affair, but a newspaper then published explicit text messages which appeared to contradict their denials.

Kilpatrick spent one night in jail in August for breaking his bail conditions by travelling to Canada without informing the court.

Ms Beatty has declined a plea bargain and will face trial in January.

'Hubris'

Former top aide Ms Beatty has pleaded not guilty to charges

In passing sentence, Judge David Groner told Kilpatrick he had been expected to set an example to Detroit but instead had violated his responsibilities, "all in an attempt to protect your political career".

"At a time when this city needed transparency, accountability and responsibility, you exhibited hubris and privilege at the expense of the city," said Judge Groner.

He also criticised Kilpatrick for remarks he made in a press conference in early September after pleading guilty, in which he appeared to blame other colleagues for his situation.

"That night the community expected to hear a message of humility, remorse and apology," said the judge.

"Instead, we heard an arrogant and defiant man who accused the governor, among others, for his downfall."

A prominent African-American politician who was elected mayor at the age of 31, Mr Kilpatrick had been considered one of the rising stars of the Democratic Party.

Interim mayor Ken Cockrel said it was "a sad day for Detroit and for the Kilpatrick family".

"As a city, we now must put the past behind us and work together to meet our common challenges," he said.

The city will hold preliminary elections in February to choose a new mayor.