Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick reunited with his family Wednesday shortly after he was released from prison. Kilpatrick, who served nearly eight years, was released early after his 28-year sentenced was commuted on Jan. 19 by former President Donald Trump. While several people contributed to Kilpatrick’s release, it appears socialite and businesswoman Kim Kardashian also triggered a domino effect in the matter. “He told me about so many incredible things he was doing in prison,” Johnson said. Jonson says she hopes that Kilpatrick will “regain his purpose.”“I believe Kwame found a brand new purpose in life.

DETROIT – After nearly eight years behind bars, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick walked free Wednesday from prison in Oakdale, Louisiana, and arrived in Georgia to meet family. READ: US releases former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from prison“I saw a boatload of text messages and calls. She helped pushed the effort forward last February when she personally delivered a letter to then-President Donald Trump asking for clemency. He served seven years, close to eight years, being away from his family away and from his mother.”READ: Key people in Kwame Kilpatrick’s life and career: Where are they now? “I believe Kwame Kilpatrick will be an excellent example of redemption and grace.”PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was officially released from prison Wednesday evening, serving only seven of his 28-year prison sentence before it was cut short. In granting clemency, Trump called for prison officials to immediately release Kilpatrick. Over the years, Local 4 has seen photos posted from Kilpatrick’s sons on social media as they visited their father in prison. While he is released, Kilpatrick is still responsible to pay his $4.7 million in restitution, according to a clemency grant obtained by Local 4 Defenders. Kilpatrick’s mother, former U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, has since moved from Detroit to Georgia.

FILE - In this May 25, 2010 file photo, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sits in a Detroit courtroom. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)DETROIT – Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served more than seven years of a 28-year prison sentence for corruption crimes, was released from federal prison Wednesday after President Donald Trump commuted his sentence, a Bureau of Prisons spokesman told The Associated Press. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat and frequent Trump critic, welcomed the news of a commutation. “Kwame Kilpatrick is a person of great talent who still has much to contribute,” Duggan said. This is a decision President Trump got right.”Kilpatrick’s first term as mayor was marred by accusations of misuse of city funds on personal extravagance.

DETROIT – Bishop J. Drew Sheard with Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ said the recent news of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick being released from prison is good news. UPDATE: US releases former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from prisonIn 2013, Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in federal prison after he was convicted of racketeering, mail fraud, wire fraud and more charges. Several well-known pastors, like Bishop Sheard, Bishop T.D. Ellis said he thought Trump would have made his decision during the election season.

Karen Drew and Hank Winchester reported on the Kwame Kilpatrick saga for more than a decade. Here they offer their reaction to President Trump’s commutation of the former Detroit mayor’s federal prison sentence.

FILE - In this March 11, 2013, file photo, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick leaves federal court after being convicted in Detroit, of corruption charges. (David Coates/Detroit News via AP, File)DETROIT – Current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan supports President Trump’s decision to commute former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s prison sentence. Kilpatrick has served seven years of a 28-year federal prison sentence for a long list of charges including racketeering and bribery. Here’s the original Kilpatrick commutation statement from the White House:“President Trump commuted the sentence of the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick. Thankfully, under Michigan law, he cannot hold state or local public office for 20 years after his conviction.”More: Kwame Kilpatrick section

Former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was just seven years into a 28-year federal prison sentence when President Trump decided to allow him to walk free Tuesday night. It was Trump’s final night in the White House before he leaves Wednesday to make way for President-elect Joe Biden and his new administration. Here’s the statement from the White House:“President Trump commuted the sentence of the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick. U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider was definitely not in support of a shortened sentence or pardon for Kilpatrick. Kwame Kilpatrick has earned every day he served in federal prison for the horrible crimes he committed against the People of Detroit.

DETROIT Another push began Friday to shorten the sentence for former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Ebony Magazine gathered dozens of faith leaders from around the country and many voiced their opinions on why Kilpatrick should be released from prison. ORIGINAL STORY: Kwame Kilpatrick supporters call for sentence commutationIts been more than seven years since the former mayor was sentenced to 28 years. In 2013, Kilpatrick was convicted on 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and racketeering. Read more: 7 years ago: Kwame Kilpatrick is convicted on 24 federal felony counts

A group pushing for former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatricks prison sentence to be commuted and debts to be forgiven is holding a virtual news conference Friday morning. Their news conference is calling for the commutation of Kilpatricks sentence and debt forgiveness for thousands of Black farmers. Heres a statement from EBONY:"Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison in 2013. He filed another motion in 2017 to vacate his prison sentence, and that was denied by a district court judge. Read more: 7 years ago: Kwame Kilpatrick is convicted on 24 federal felony counts