Riddle indicted in Detroit
From Sunshine Review
July 15, 2009 The U.S. Attorney's office in Detroit reported that Sam Riddle, a Detroit political consultant, and former State Representative Mary Waters have been indicted in the ongoing corruption investigation.[1]
[edit] Riddle's role
Riddle had served as City Councilwoman Monica Conyers' assistant when the corrupt contract deal was made with Synagro Technologies, Inc between March 2006 and December 2007. He was charged with a seven-count indictment including conspiracy, extortion, bribery, mail fraud, and making false statements to the FBI. According to the indictment, Riddle conspired with Conyers in order to extort money from individuals having business before the Council and the pension board.
The indictment says he allegedly aided and abetted the councilwoman in receiving bribes in favor of the Synagro waste management contract with the City of Detroit. According to the indictment, Riddle and Conyers allegedly extorted $20,000 from the owner of a technology company seeking a multi-million dollar investment from the General Retirement System, extorted $20,000 from a Detroit restaurant owner who had business before the City Council, and extorted $25,000 from a company operating strip clubs seeking a change in licenses from the City Council.[1]
[edit] A second indictment
In a second indictment unsealed Wednesday, Riddle and ex-lawmaker Mary Waters were charged with conspiring to bribe Southfield City, Michigan Councilman William Lattimore with $12,500 between April 2007 and May 2008 for Southfield City Council’s approval of relocating Zeidman's Jewelry store, a pawn shop.
Riddle and Waters actually paid two separate bribes, according to the charges, of thousands of dollars to Lattimore. Lattimore issued letters on City of Southfield letterhead supporting the relocation soon after receiving each of the two bribes.
According to the indictment, Riddle and Waters paid Lattimore $7,500 in cash on or about August 1, 2007. They paid another $5,000 to Lattimore on October 12, 2007. On May 5, 2008, Lattimore advocated and voted for the relocation of the pawn shop during a Southfield City Council meeting.
Lattimore was indicted last week on bribery charges.[1]
[edit] The future
Conyers pleaded guilty to bribery last month and she faces her sentencing at a later date. If Riddle is convicted, he could face five to ten years in prison for each charge involved in the first indictment.
Riddle and Waters face a maximum of five years in prison on the conspiracy to commit bribery count, and ten years in prison on each of the two counts of bribery for their indictment.[1]
[edit] External links
- Court reports
- "Monica Conyers pleaded guilty to bribery"
- "Detroit bribery scandal trail leads to consultant and councilwoman"
- Synagro technologies
- Sunshine Review, "Monica Conyers pleaded guilty to bribery"
- Southfield City, Michigan
[edit] References
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