Monica Conyers, wife of Detroit congressman, faces sentence for bribery scheme in sludge deal

Congressman’s wife could face prison for bribes

DETROIT — The most prominent person caught in an corruption investigation in Detroit is returning to court to be sentenced in a bribery scheme involving a city sludge contract.

Ex-councilwoman Monica Conyers pleaded guilty last summer to conspiracy and admitted taking cash in exchange for supporting a Houston company, Synagro Technologies. The contract passed by one vote in 2007.

Federal prosecutors say Conyers, the wife of Michigan Congressman John Conyers, deserves four or more years in prison. Her lawyer isn’t commenting.

The government says it wants U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn on Wednesday to consider evidence of other alleged crimes involving Conyers and her former top aide, Sam Riddle. His case ended in a mistrial last month.