Christine Beatty opens up about Kwame Kilpatrick, text scandal

She's one of the most infamous people in town, Christine Beatty is back in the public eye with two new shows.

Now she's opening up about Kwame Kilpatrick, the text message scandal and her plans to turn it all around.

"At this point in my life this journey is my journey," said Beatty. "Separate from my past or Kwame, this is Christine Beatty's journey."

The journey for Christine Beatty went from Kwame Kilpatrick's chief of staff, to Kwame Kilpatrick's lover, which played out on TV in the infamous sex and text message scandal the cost the city millions.

FOX 2: "Did you hurt Detroit?"

"Absolutely," she said. "We were in the national spotlight about a text message scandal, so of course, yes. Yes it hurt."

Beatty pleaded guilty to perjury in December, 2008 and did about three months in jail.

"It was awful," she said. "It's very surreal."

FOX 2: "Did you cry?"

"Of course," Beatty said. "Leaving my children for me was the hardest thing I ever had to do."

After jail she moved to Atlanta with her two children, now high school age. She has no intention of moving back to Detroit. 

She's appeared on a TV reality show "From the Bottom Up” about women who made poor choices in life and will start a radio show on superstation 910 Saturdays from 5 to 7 pm - but she will do that from Atlanta.

What about $78,000 in restitution she still owes Detroit?  She says she intends to pay the city back at some point. 

"Once I get a regular income - I haven't had that in a few years," Beatty said. "That part has been the tough part. Just trying to regain my professional self (and) have a regular income."

It was also tough when she heard Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced to 28 years in prison.

"I felt like a little piece of me died," Beatty said. "Somebody that's a best friend of yours for years, it's like you hear that, it's horrible."

FOX 2: "You haven't talked to Kwame in a while - since he's been in prison. What would you say to him if he was right here."

"I'm praying for him, and just, I always want the best," she said. "And I will be beyond glad once this mess is over."

FOX 2: "You still miss him."

"What are you trying to do," Beatty quipped. "You don't know somebody for almost 30 years that has been a friend for you, it's impossible not to miss a person that has been a friend for that long."