Report: Monica Conyers is “Council Member A” In Federal Bribery Investigation

monica_conyers_bioDetroit City Council member Monica Conyers has been repeatedly the subject of scathing media articles regarding physical and verbal attacks on her critics, here and here and here. She is now facing a corruption probe after being identified as the alleged “Council Member A” in a federal investigation who accepted more than $6000 for a vote on a sludge contract.

The federal investigators are looking into how Houston-based Synagro Technologies won a $47 million-a-year contract to recycle sludge from a wastewater treatment plant.

Synagro contractor and local businessman Rayford Jackson testified that he gave more than $6,000 to Council Member A. Notably, he said the first $3000 payment was given on Nov. 20, 2007, the same day Conyers joined with the majority in approving the Synagro deal 5-4. The rest of the money was allegedly passed over in a McDonald’s parking lot. There may be more money involved. The Associated Press says that “in a separate matter” “an intermediary” for the company passed $5,000 to $8,000 to Council Member A for a March vote.

There is no allegation that Judiciary Chairman, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., had any role in the alleged corruption in Detroit. The City Council in Detroit has been the focus of numerous scandals and investigations in recent years.

Monica Conyers is facing reelection and used an appearance at a church to call for prayers: “All these things that are going on right now … I believe in my heart that God will deliver me from them. And so I say to all of the people out there: If you’re not praying for me, then you’re just adding to the problem.”

My favorite quote from this appearance came from Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity, which met with Conyers in determining whether to support her for reelection. Rev. Oscar King, the group’s president, indicated that the group was not influenced by such alleged corruption: “As of this morning, the lady has not been indicted. We’re not passing judgment at this point because we’re being pastoral in the political process.”

I have long been a critic of religious leaders getting involved in politics. While I do not know what it means to be “pastoral in the political process,” I doubt I would like it.

For the full story, click here.

3 thoughts on “Report: Monica Conyers is “Council Member A” In Federal Bribery Investigation”

  1. Why am I not suprised being pastoral in the political process could be construed as keeping the sheep in line? 🙂

    http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pastoral

    Main Entry: 1pas·to·ral
    Pronunciation: \ˈpas-t(ə-)rəl\
    Function: adjective
    Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pastoralis, from pastor herdsman
    Date: 15th century
    1 a (1): of, relating to, or composed of shepherds or herdsmen (2): devoted to or based on livestock raising b: of or relating to the countryside : not urban c: portraying or expressive of the life of shepherds or country people especially in an idealized and conventionalized manner d: pleasingly peaceful and innocent : idyllic
    2 a: of or relating to spiritual care or guidance especially of a congregation b: of or relating to the pastor of a church
    — pas·to·ral·ly \-t(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb
    — pas·to·ral·ness noun

  2. Off Topic

    See this. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2009/06/15/9807261-ap.html

    Montana to hold lying contest
    By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

    BUTTE, Montana – A Montana festival is to feature what organizers term “a unique event in tribute to the culture of the American West” – a lying contest.

    Contestants at the National Folk Festival contest in Butte next month will compete for a trophy. Each contestant will be allowed a set amount of time and the number of contestants will be limited.

    Contest organizers say the event is for amateur liars only: No lawyers, politicians, patent medicine salesmen or motivational speakers need apply.

  3. Unfortunately, Religious is all to prevalent in many of a Michigan elections. It seems that most go for the “Minority” churches just for the vote.

    Now, Conyers is nothing new to the Detroit Corruption. She is just trying to get hers before the money bag closes. Her husband has been in office just about as long as she has been alive. Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to the 14th Congressional District in November of 2006, to his 21st term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    I guess her sugar daddy was cuttin the funds off.

    Here is the head line and link to the Det New

    Bribery probe closes in on Conyers
    City Council member weighs federal plea deal

    http://www.detnews.com/article/20090617/METRO/906170357/1409/METRO

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