Home Detroit Press Releases 2010 Samuel L. Riddle, Jr. and Mary Waters Sentenced on Corruption, Conspiracy, and Related Charges
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Samuel L. Riddle, Jr. and Mary Waters Sentenced on Corruption, Conspiracy, and Related Charges

U.S. Attorney’s Office October 06, 2010
  • Eastern District of Michigan (313) 226-9100

Samuel L. Riddle, Jr., of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced to 37 months for his role in conspiring to bribe Southfield City Councilman William Lattimore in connection with the Southfield City Council’s approval of the relocation of a pawn shop and other related offenses, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. In addition, Riddle was sentenced on charges that he conspired with Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers to extort money from individuals having business before the Detroit City Council and the Board of Trustees of the General Retirement System.

Co-defendant Mary Waters, of Detroit, Michigan was sentenced to one year of probation for her role in the Southfield conspiracy.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Andrew G. Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Erick Martinez, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.

Riddle pleaded guilty in May, 2010, to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, extortion, and to file fraudulent tax returns, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In entering his guilty plea, Riddle admitted to conspiring to bribe Councilman Lattimore with $12,500 in order to influence and reward Lattimore in connection with his vote for the relocation of a pawn shop in Southfield. Riddle also pleaded guilty to conduct related to his business dealings with Monica Conyers. Riddle admitted to conspiring with Monica Conyers and other individuals to interfere with commerce through extortion. Riddle and Conyers used Conyers’ position on the Detroit City Council and on the Board of Trustees for the General Retirement System to force businessmen and consultants to pay money to Riddle and Conyers for favorable votes on matters coming before the Detroit City Council. In total, Riddle is alleged to have extorted over $40,000. Lastly, Riddle pleaded guilty to conspiring with other individuals to evade payment of taxes to the Internal Revenue Service for tax years 2006 and 2007. As part of his guilty plea, Riddle agreed to forfeit a Breitling Watch as the proceeds of his conspiracy to commit bribery and extortion.

Waters pleaded guilty in May, 2010, to one count of filing a fraudulent tax return, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. In entering her guilty plea, Waters admitted to accepting a $6,000 Rolex watch which Riddle acquired from businessman Thomas LaBret. The watch was compensation for her work on Riddle’s behalf to secure support from Lattimore to move LaBret’s shop to Southfield. Waters admitted that although she understood that the watch was a form of compensation, she failed to report it as such in filing her 2008 taxes. Waters also agreed to forfeit the watch, a Ladies’ Rolex, to the United States.

United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade said, “People who engage in public corruption will be held accountable. It is reprehensible when people cheat the taxpayers of cities that are already struggling financially.”

Andrew Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation said, “Plain and simple, Mary Waters and Sam Riddle conspired to buy William Lattimore's Southfield Council vote. This type of corruption erodes public confidence and undermines the strength of our democracy. The FBI's public corruption program is determined to prevent such abuse of public trust.”

"Whether it's legitimate income or bribe payments, no public official or their advisers get a free pass to ignore the tax laws," said IRS Special Agent in Charge Martinez.

The case was investigated by agents of the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert Cares, David A. Gardey and Rita Foley.

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