Detroit City Council President Pro Tem Monica Conyers Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Bribery

Monica Conyers, 44, of Detroit, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery before United States District Judge Avern Cohn, United States Attorney Terrence Berg announced today.

Berg was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent In Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Maurice Aouate, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office of the Internal Revenue Service.

According to records filed at the time of the plea, Ms. Conyers’ admitted to misusing her office of Detroit City Council President pro tem, and her position as a trustee of the City of Detroit General Retirement System pension, for personal gain. Specifically, according to the records, Ms. Conyers and an aide received payments from persons who sought contracts, money and/or favorable treatment from the City Council or the pension fund. One example of this was in 2007, when Conyers admitted to receiving cash payments from Rayford Jackson knowing that the payments were made to influence her to vote in favor of the Synagro contract.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

United States Attorney Berg said, “Today Monica Conyers has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery in connection with her roles as a City Council member and as a trustee of the Detroit pension board. This guilty plea is the result of the careful, thorough, and solid investigative work of the FBI, the IRS, and the case preparation by the federal prosecutors in my office. This conviction marks the conclusion of government’s investigation of Ms. Conyers and the elected members of the Detroit City Council relating to the approval of the Synagro contract, though the investigation relating to the Synagro contract continues as it relates to others.

“I commend the remarkable dedication of the law enforcement agencies and the prosecutors who put this case together: the FBI, the IRS and members of the prosecution team, particularly AUSAs Lynn Helland, John Engstrom, Mike Bullotta, Mark Chutkow and Robert Cares who have spend untold hours working on this matter.”

Special Agent Andrew G. Arena said, “Public corruption is a top investigative priority for the FBI. Individuals who take an oath of office should be held responsible for their actions. Anyone abusing their public position for personal gain, you know who you are so you should be looking over your shoulder, under your bed, in your closet because we are coming to get you.”

The sentencing date will be set by the Court. Any sentence will be imposed pursuant to the federal sentencing guidelines and federal law, and will be determined by the Court.

Ms. Conyers was released on a personal recognizance bond.