DETROIT -- Three of more than 30 companies and individuals who have contributed to Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's legal defense fund owe more than $820,000 in state and federal taxes, according to records reviewed by The Detroit News.
The newspaper reports Saturday that the tax delinquents include the company that owns the Sheraton Detroit Riverside hotel. The owners of the former Hotel Pontchartrain donated $3,000 despite owing $501,299 in state taxes.
Brian Jeffries, president and chief executive of Detroit-based Ambassador Capital Management, gave the fund $10,000. Jeffries and his wife owe the Internal Revenue Service $290,803 in federal income taxes, according to filings with the Oakland County Register of Deeds office.
Jeffries, the hotel owners and others helped Kilpatrick raise $185,600 for his legal defense since April 4. All but $20,000 of that money has been spent on the mayor's legal team, defending him against perjury and other charges.
Bruce Sucher, a lawyer for the Shubh Hotel Detroit LLC, said facility renovations forced the company to delay paying some bills. He said the hotel owners have no city contracts, and the contribution to Kilpatrick's fund was to thank him for his support of tourism.
Sucher said most of the state taxes have been paid and he is working state officials over potential penalties.
According to liens filed by the IRS, Jeffries and his wife owe income taxes for 2002-05. A message was left by The Associated Press Saturday seeking comment. The News reported he did not return its phone and e-mail messages.
Kilpatrick and former Chief of Staff Christine Beatty are accused of lying under oath during a whistle-blowers' trial when both denied having a romantic relationship in 2002 and 2003. Kilpatrick also is accused of lying under oath about his role in the firing of a top police official.