Rascally Politicians

(Pictured Left: Monica Conyers' booking photo.)

Even before the bribery charges, she was controversial.

Few newspapers dwell on Monica Conyer's difficulties. The wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is due to be sentenced in March 2009 for conspiracy to commit bribery.

Monica Conyers' Chief of Staff, "Political consultant" Sam Riddle, 63, was arrested in December 2008 on gun and assault charges for pulling a shotgun on his girlfriend, former State Representative Mary Waters when she found him with another woman.

Two guns were found at the house, including the shotgun.

(Pictured at right: Riddle and Takesha Washington. Riddle reportedly was found in a "compromised position" with the 30-year-old woman. He was arrested on felony assault charges. She was arrested on minor narcotics charge in the incident.

Pictured below: Former Michigan Representative Mary Waters.)

Riddle and Waters shared a townhouse. The two are awaiting trial on accusations of bribing a Southfield councilman.

Riddle, a former aide to Monica Conyers, was charged last year with hand delivering a bribe to then-Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers to ensure her vote on a $1.2 billion sludge contract. The wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers pleaded guilty and will be sentenced March 10, 2010.

Riddle's trial on the charge is scheduled for next month.

In a separate investigation, Riddle and Waters are codefendants in a separate federal case, accused of bribery to gain approval of a pawnshop in Southfield. They were indicted in July 2009.

Waters, (1/1/2005 to 12/31/2006: Democrat State Representative, District 4) resigned as director of Legislative Affairs at the Wayne County prosecutor’s office in April 2009 when her name was linked to the investigation. Waters lost to incumbent Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in last August's Democratic 13th Congressional District primary.

The Detroit Free Press has complete coverage of the Detroit City Council.