Ron Lichtle introduced Special Agent Robert Beeckman as our speaker today. (thank you, Ron, for taking the following notes.)
Robert grew up in Saginaw, Michigan, is married with 2 children and presently resides in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. He received his bachelor’s degree in English from Michigan State University, and his law degree from Thomas Cooley Law School. Following law school he worked as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Saginaw County, Michigan. When leaving the prosecutor’s office he joined the FBI. Upon completing the FBI Academy, Beeckman was assigned to the Detroit Field Office where he has remained for twenty two years. He focused on law enforcement corruption and municipal corrup0tion. He has lectured extensively in police departments and police academies in the US, Eastern Europe, and Africa. Beeckman taught Michigan Criminal Law and Michigan Criminal Procedure as an adjunct professor at Ferris State University for six years.
He was the FBI case agent in charge of the investigation of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick which was his topic of conversation today.
Project Integrity , his topic today, is an in depth look at the investigation and prosecution of Detroit’s infamous former mayor, Kwame M. Kilpatrick, and other city officials. His presentation showed the exposure of the corruption that was present during Kilpatrick’s administration, and provided us with some important lessons for the future.
The investigation first started in November 2004 and finally went to trial in 2012. It involved informants, cooperating defendants, news media, city employees, contractors, and an anonymous letter. The anonymous letter played an intercal part of the investigation which led him to a couple of key corrupt officials in Kilpatrick’s administration, that cooperated and led to others. Robert Beeckman’s story started 10 minutes early and ended at 1:40, ten minutes late. I didn’t see one person leave early. He kept everyone on the edge of our seats with pictures of the defendants, taped wiretaps, etc., etc. If you were not there you missed one of the best speakers we have had in a long time. We all thanked Special Agent Robert Beeckman for an outstanding presentation.
