Kwame's buddies on the City Payroll...

Kwame & Friends...

As Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick cut thousands of city jobs, one group has fared well -- the mayor's own friends and family.

A Free Press examination of city records shows that at least 29 people with close connections to the mayor have been appointed by Kilpatrick to city jobs since he took office in 2002. That's a significant departure from Detroit's last three mayors, who appeared to have hired far fewer family members or friends.

Of those with ties to Kilpatrick, at least eight are relatives. The jobs held by friends and family range from secretarial positions to department heads.