Last week, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison for corruption. Even though Kilpatrick's name has become synonymous with corrupt politics, most people outside of Detroit don't know the details of the case that landed Kilpatrick a conviction in March for racketeering conspiracy, fraud, extortion and tax crimes.
To some people, including me, Kilpatrick is best-known for carrying on an affair with his chief of staff. It was a highly publicized and salacious situation that came to light when the Detroit Free Press printed the racy text messages between Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty.
In 2009 they both served time -- 99 days for Kilpatrick for obstruction of justice and 120 days for Beatty for lying under oath. His ongoing court cases and recent conviction and sentencing have kept Kilpatrick in the news, but less has been known of Beatty, who has flown under the radar -- until now.
The November issue of Essence magazine (which features Scandal star Kerry Washington on the cover) carries a three-page personal essay (not available online) by Beatty, "A Real-Life Scandal," about the fallout from her affair with Detroit's ex-mayor. It's a juicy read, but Fitz and Olivia it is not. Unlike the couple in TV's most riveting political affair, the real-life story of the other woman is painful, tragic and, ultimately, just plain sad.
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