A federal judge has denied ex-Detroit Councilwoman Monica Conyers' request to withdraw her guilty plea in a corruption case and sentenced her to three years and one month in prison.
Conyers suggested she was the victim of "badgering" last summer when she acknowledged a conspiracy to take bribes for her support of a Houston company seeking a sludge contract from the city.
But U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn says her plea deal was voluntary.
Conyers, the wife of Michigan Democratic Congressman John Conyers, quit her council seat after pleading guilty.
The government urged the judge to consider other alleged crimes Wednesday. Prosecutors say Conyers and an aide collected $69,500 from people seeking help from the city.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
DETROIT (AP) -- 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.
SOURCE: The Associated Press
Ed White
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