The Detroit Free Press is reporting that a contractor who pleaded guilty in the corruption probe in Detroit says that he handled over $100,000 dollars in bribes for disgraced Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.

Karl Kado told authorities that he paid Kilpatrick four or five installments of $20,000 each. Kado is preparing to be sentenced for paying bribes, which he claims were delivered in envelopes to Kilpatrick's office in City Hall.

This spells trouble for Kwame Kilpatrick, since it shows that the federal government now has the help of someone inside Kilpatrick's inner circle.

Apparently, the federal investigation is quite serious. Kilpatrick's father has had his phone tapped, and the investigation has spent a year tracking funds in and out of bank accounts. In sworn statements, FBI agents are also stating that Kilpatrick and his associates used the mayor's office to engage in organized crime and racketeering.

Kilpatrick's attorney, James Thomas, has stated that he knows nothing about the bribery accusations, and it is not clear whether the FBI intends to bring charges against Kilpatrick. Some of the allegations, however, are disturbing, including:

- Kilpatrick took bribes from Kado, who had a no-bid janitorial- and- electrical-services contract with the Cabo Center and a sundry shop in the city.

- Kilpatrick deposited large sums of cash in to his bank accounts, without declaring the cash as income.

- Bernard Kilpatrick, Kwame's father, received large sums of money from contractors in exchange for official acts by the mayor. There is also an accusation that he pressured others to donate to his son's political fund.

- A local businessman says he would be punished for backing Kilpatrick's opponent and that the businessman's vehicles were getting ticketed afterward. The orders allegedly came directly from the mayor's office.

The FBI now believe that the alleged activities of Kwame Kilpatrick's office constitute a criminal enterprise. There is indication that they are trying to make a case under the Federal Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Defendants in RICO trials can face up to 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.

"I am not aware of any direct payment that was ever made to Kwame Kilpatrick," said Thomas, who helped defend Kilpatrick against perjury-related charges in the text message scandal. "And frankly, I'd be surprised to see it.

"But I'm not going to try my case in the media. There hasn't even been an indictment yet. If Mr. Kilpatrick is charged, we will try our case in the court and not in the press."

I watched the rise and fall of Kwame Kilpatrick, and it made me sad. Like many Americans, I was hopeful that Kwame would represent a new generation of high-quality leadership for the black community, the kind of fresh blood that a dying city needed in order to give itself something to be excited about.

I first saw Kwame during a "60 Minutes" interview. I was excited to hear the words of this brilliant young black man who'd risen to the top of American politics so quickly. I expected his words to have the vision, passion and focus of a driven man and natural-born leader. Instead, when Kwame opened his mouth, I heard nothing. I wasn't inspired by his comments, nor was I impressed by his demeanor. Rather than seeing a great visionary, I saw an arrogant young man who'd apparently been able to profit from privilege. Having such a politically connected family obviously helped Kwame rise to the top very quickly, perhaps surpassing more qualified candidates along the way. To some extent, this privilege had turned Kwame into a man too spoiled to truly appreciate the depth of his blessings and too myopic to understand the magnitude of his responsibility. I gave Kwame another chance by listening to his remarks during a panel discussion. Again, I was disappointed. He sounded like a politician, and not a very thoughtful one at that.

At the end of the day, Kwame has become the black George Bush: a mediocre political figure who was given power and access that may have exceeded his capabilities. I feel sorry for Kwame; for, I can only imagine how complex his life must be. But most importantly, I feel sorry for the city of Detroit, the place where hope and prosperity are things of the past.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.