Detroit political consultant, former Michigan lawmaker indicted in Conyers corruption case

Detroit consultant, former lawmaker indicted

DETROIT — A federal grand jury has indicted a political consultant on corruption charges, accusing him of working with a Detroit City Council member to shake down businesses for bribes in exchange for favors.

The charges against Sam Riddle filed Wednesday came less than three weeks after his former boss, Monica Conyers, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes and quit the council.

The indictment against Riddle describes other schemes involving Conyers, wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich.

Riddle is charged with conspiracy, extortion, mail fraud, bribery and making false statements. He and former state Rep. Mary Waters also were charged in a second indictment tied to alleged bribes in a Detroit suburb.