Sam Riddle’s public corruption trial nears end in Detroit

Detroit’s latest public corruption production is, mercifully, almost over. In fact, closing arguments over political consultant Sam Riddle’s alleged scheme to extort thousands in bribes were entered into the record just a couple hours ago.

Summing up the prosecution’s take on the self-described “political pirate” (courtesy of extensive wire tapped phone calls), Assistant U.S. Attorney David Gardey asked jurors to make a statement with their verdict on Riddle, ex-chief of staff to former Detroit City Councilor Monica Conyers:

In Sam Riddle’s Detroit, the city is for sale. This cannot stand. It must not stand.

Riddle, of course, is accused of working hand-in-glove with Conyers to encourage a range of individuals with business before the city to cough up cash in exchange for Conyers’ vote on the city council or the pension board she also used to sit on. That is, before Conyers pleaded guilty to bribery and resigned from council last summer. The wife of long-time U.S. Rep. John Conyers, a Detroit Democrat, is scheduled to be sentenced in March.

And it’s that marriage that has increasingly become the subject of speculation over John Conyers’ obligation to address the sordid scandal and his possible involvement — or not.

According to a Sunday column by Detroit News editorial page editor Nolan Finley, legitimate questions for Congressman Conyers demand more than a reflexive “no comment” as evidence of his possible involvement has emerged:

Rep. Conyers got splashed with his wife’s taint this week during the federal bribery trial of her former sidekick, political consultant Sam Riddle. Greektown developer Jim Papas, frequently on the fringes of City Hall muck, testified that he gave Riddle $10,000 to share with Monica Conyers. Papas was looking for help in securing a letter from the congressman in support of his Romulus waste disposal well.

Monica Conyers called her husband’s office, and Papas got the letter.

Finley wants to know if the 22-term member of Congress knew about the $10,000 pay-out and why exactly he signed the letter. Finley, not exactly known as a Democratic cheerleader, asks: “Could this be considered influence peddling by proxy?”

Maybe the conservative Finely is too quick to jump to conclusions framed as questions, but at least one liberal commentator is asking some similar questions.

As for Riddle’s defense, his lawyer in court today didn’t even try to claim that his client is squeaky clean. Arguing that Riddle was just doing his job as a political consultant and part-timer on Monica Conyers’ staff, the money he received was merely payment for legitimate services rendered. And then there was this from Riddle defense lawyer Edward Wishnow:

The verdict form does not say guilty or innocent, it says guilty or not guilty. Not proven is not guilty.

For good measure, Wishnow also asked  jurors to ignore Riddle’s connections to Monica Conyers in their deliberations.