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July 01, 2009
What Did John Conyers Know About His Wife's Corruption?
Former aide: Monica Conyers took cash in Greektown deal, wrote letter with husband
Sam Riddle, a former aide to Monica Conyers, says the Detroit councilwoman drove him to a meeting with a Greektown businessman, arranged a $20,000 consulting contract for Riddle, demanded $10,000 as a finder's fee and later drafted a letter along with her husband, U.S. Rep. John Conyers, in support of the businessman.
In an extended admission, Riddle told the Detroit Free Press that Conyers brokered several similar deals for him because she could not hire him directly as a consultant, including the deal with Greektown entrepreneur Dimitrios Papas.
Detroit Free Press, June 29: "I didn't have to do a lot of work," Riddle said. "And the councilwoman insisted on half of my retainer as a finder's fee."
Riddle said Papas gave him checks totaling $20,000. He said he then paid the councilwoman $10,000 cash.
"While I felt it was a bit exorbitant, it didn't feel that bad given the workload, which was nil," Riddle said, adding, "It was clear he was dealing with me because of Monica, not because of any special skill set he was hoping to gain with me."
It's not clear that John Conyers knew of his wife's link to the businessman, but the two drafted a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking approval of a Romulus waste injection project that one of Papas' companies was looking to take over.
Riddle also confirmed a similar arrangement with Zeidman's owner Tomas LaBret in which he was paid a large retainer and Conyers received jewelry.
Riddle's candor isn't a total surprise. Although he had refused to comment on the situation, he repeatedly promised to tell the truth under oath and earlier this month told Fox 2 that "The only difference between Detroit and third world nations -- where corruption is concerned -- is goats in the street."
Wild Thing's comment.......
John Conyers: Take my wife. Please! (/hennyyoungman)
What a couple, but they do fit right in with the rest of the party on the left.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at July 1, 2009 06:45 AM
Comments
Both Conyers are as crooked as a dog's hind leg. Even if they were to be convicted in court, the people in Detroit would still reelect them. Detroit is a cesspool, not because of its politicians but because of the people who inhabit it. Politicians are nothing but a reflection of the people who elect them.
Posted by: BobF at July 1, 2009 07:32 AM
Den of thieves.
Posted by: Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET at July 1, 2009 08:01 AM
Riddle's description of Detroit is correct. It is just like a third world country. I'll bet that 90% of the people in Detroit get Federal checks.
Posted by: TomR at July 1, 2009 12:05 PM
Sorry Chrissie. What Did John Conyers Know About His Wife's Corruption? Bwahahaha!!!!!
Posted by: Jack at July 1, 2009 01:50 PM
Crooks all of them. To the demos this is a badge of honor. They got caught and now the test is to see how well they can lie their way out of it.
Posted by: Mark at July 1, 2009 02:22 PM
BobF., haha good way to put it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 12:02 AM
Glenn Cassel AMH1(AW) USN RET, yes they
sure are. GRrrrrr
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 12:03 AM
Tom, good one, I bet they do too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 12:03 AM
Jack, hahahahaa
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 12:04 AM
Mark, that's what it is to them, I really
believe that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 2, 2009 12:05 AM
