Detroit mayor returns to City Hall

In this image made from a pool video feed, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick holds the hands of his wife Carlita as she addresses the city from the Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church in Detroit, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008. Mayor Kilpatrick pleaded for forgiveness from his family and his constituents in an emotional televised speech, his delayed response to recently revealed racy text messages that contradict his sworn testimony that he did not have a physical relationship with a key aide. (AP Photo/POOL, WDIV-TV)

DETROIT—Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick returned to City Hall on Thursday, a day after apologizing to family and constituents in a televised speech that avoided direct mention of a text messaging scandal that came to light a week ago.

James Canning, a spokesman for the mayor, said Kilpatrick returned to work Thursday morning.

Kilpatrick emerged from a weeklong, self-imposed exile Wednesday night and used the shadow of a church pulpit to apologize for "the embarrassment and disappointment" that recent events have caused residents.

"I truly apologize to you," Kilpatrick said, turning to his wife, Carlita, who sat by his side, holding his hand, at their family church.

"I am the mayor. I made the mistake," Kilpatrick told Detroit residents, looking into the camera. "I am accountable."

During the made-for-television event, Kilpatrick was careful not to get into specifics, knowing a perjury investigation hangs over his head -- one that could land him in prison for as many as 15 years if he is convicted of lying under oath.

A prosecutor is investigating whether the mayor and chief of staff Christine Beatty lied on the stand during a whistle-blower's lawsuit last summer in which both denied having a physical relationship. The questioning was tied to allegations that the mayor used his security guards to cover up extramarital affairs. On Monday, Beatty announced her resignation.

Kilpatrick vowed to remain mayor in the speech, which aired live in prime time on Detroit television and radio stations.

"Make no mistake about it; since 2002, I have been in charge of the city. There have been ups and downs. There have been hills and mountains and valleys. But through it all, I remain in charge of the city," he said.

There was no audience and no reporters or photographers, save for the operator of the sole video camera used. Kilpatrick made no mention of the text messages or Beatty.

Kilpatrick, 37, is in his second term and could run again next year, but the revelation of the text messages from 2002 and 2003 could end his political career.

In court, Kilpatrick and Beatty denied having a physical relationship, but the text messages reveal that they carried on a flirty, sometimes sexually explicit dialogue about where to meet and how to conceal their trysts.

Kilpatrick wrote Beatty in 2002: "I've been dreaming all day about having you all to myself for 3 days. Relaxing, laughing, talking, sleeping and making love."

Controversy has surrounded Kilpatrick since his 2001 election as mayor.

His first four years were marred by use of his city-issued credit card for expensive travel, the city's lease of a luxury Lincoln Navigator for his wife and unsubstantiated allegations of a wild party involving his security team and strippers at the mayor's mansion.

At the start of his second term, Kilpatrick vowed to not make the same mistakes and announced a residential redevelopment along Detroit's dormant riverfront, a successful Super Bowl that shone a light on the city's renewal efforts and other improvements.