A governor in South Carolina has an affair and the standard news media outlets fill the airwaves with information on a man's personal indiscretion. Admittedly, this is a story worth publishing and I am in no way trying to make light of the circumstance. He was wrong, it's news, that's the price of being in the public arena. I only bring it up here to weigh the importance to the public of a story such as this with news that the President Pro Tem of the Detroit City Council, Monica Ann Conyers, wife of U. S. Representative John Conyers, just pled guilty to conspiring to commit bribery and is now free on personal bond. As far as order of importance to the public they serve, I would have to say "corruption by a government official" trumps "guy has affair".

As for the story about Conyers itself, unless you do a bit of digging, you might only read the conviction based upon the plea bargained deal she made with the court. The federal plea document that was released cites two instances in late 2007, when Conyers accepted cash bribes from a consultant for Synagro Technologies who was trying to obtain a lucrative contract with the city. In the document, the acts are referenced as:

"Overt acts: On Nov. 20, 2007, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Conyers met with an individual sent by Rayford Jackson in the parking lot at Butzel Family Center and received an envelope containing cash. On Dec. 4, 2007, at approximately 2:30 p.m., an individual sent by Rayford Jackson met Conyers and her aide in a McDonald's parking lot in Detroit at which time the individual delivered an envelope containing cash."

The document goes on to say that the bribes were "made and received as part of an agreement and understanding between defendant and Rayford Jackson. . .to influence defendant to support the Synagro contract." This same document does not cite any specific amount for the bribes. Other court documents have indicated that Conyers, identified as "Council Member A", took at least two bribes of $3,000.00 each, among other bribes.

Based upon this information, you almost have to feel that Monica Conyers should be convicted of stupidity instead of bribery. Who would risk their reputation (not that she really has much to risk in this department), their job and risk any associated fallout for their congressman husband (who is the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee overseeing the U.S. Department of Justice), all for $6,000.00? Keep in mind that Mrs. Conyers receives $81,000.00 a year for her seat on the Detroit City Council and her husband is paid $175,000.00 a year as a member of the House.

Anyone?  Show of hands?

I thought not.

This gentile woman of elegance is no stranger to controversy. Here is a quick recap of some of her more well known antics:

December 2005: Conyers got into a fight with another woman, Rebecca Mews, at the Crossroads Lounge in Detroit which ended with Mews receiving a black eye from Conyers.

November 2007: After admonishing council members not to argue, Sheila Cockrel (another member of the council) mutters, "Well, at least it's not in the bar". Conyers then called Cockrel a "drunk" and said, "Did you say something about a bar? Because you drink a lot at the bar when I see you."

April 2008: After being told not to interupt by Council President Ken Cockrel Jr, Conyers calls him "Shrek" twice, then continues, "You're not my daddy. You do that at home, not here. Give me some respect cause I'm tired of that. Be respectful!" (See Youtube video below if you haven't already).

 February 2008: Conyers is accused of threatening another trustee of the city pension board, DeDan Milton, with a gun after a dispute erupts.

August 2008: Conyers and her husband and two sons attend the Democratic National Convention and stay at the Magnolia Hotel. They were placed in a room with two queen beds instead of a suite. Conyers created such a commotion, the Denver police had to be called in for backup by a Denver police officer working security.

February 2009: Conyers makes fun of Councilman Kwame Kenyatta's hearing aid, ridiculed him for rumors he had cancer and mocked his lack of a college degree. She needed to be restrained.

April 2009: Conyers tells Sheila Cockrel to "shut the f--- up" in a dispute before council meeting begins. She then urges Cockrel, who is a widow, to "get a man."

 In the plea agreement between prosecutors and James Rosendall, Jr, the Michigan based Synagro vice president, we get a much better sense of the scope and depth of the type of bribery that went on. Described are hundreds of thousands of dollars in trips, chartered jets, private planes, campaign contributions, donations to political action committees and individuals. Between 2004 and 2008, Rosendall and Synagro paid over $150,000.00 in periodic campaign contributions to City Council Members and their favorite projects.

In 2006, the "Aide to Council Member A" indicated that if he were given a job as a consultant, he could swing the vote for Synagro, but if he was not hired, the vote would go against the company. The "Aide" wanted to be paid $5,000.00 per month in his newly created position. Rosendall declined to pay the money. When a payment or donation was not received to benefit "Council Member A", Rosendall told the feds that, "Council Member A" told him during a council session, "you don't have my vote and you're short." According to Rosendall, "Council Member A" walked out of the council chambers passing him, then turned to him and said, "f--k you."

 Even now, with the felony conviction against her, Monica Conyers is not leaving her job just yet. She will continue on the payroll until sentencing is passed down, then (and probably only because the city requires it) she will leave. How ridiculous is that? Almost as ridiculous as allowing anyone to believe that all that was involved here is a couple of small bribes. Quite frankly, it stretches the imagination to think that in all of the activity over the years these events, payoffs and campaign contributions took place, that her husband had absolutely no knowledge of any of her activities with Synagro. Watch that video again and ask yourself if Monica Conyers seems the type that would be demure at home, quietly keeping her lips sealed about her plans. Heck, she involved other relatives in the shakedown.

We will have to wait until sentencing to find out if indeed justice is blind and weighs each of us equally or if we will allow another public official who has breached the trust of her constituents and party to be given special treatment and walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist. She could face between 31 and 60 months in jail and a fine of $250,000.00. I have little faith she will be dealt with strongly.

On a personal note, I have noticed that in several photos of Monica Conyers, she is seen to be wearing the Christian symbol of a cross around her neck. Conyers is a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Detroit and so claims to belong to the group calling themselves Christian. While I understand that there are many people who wear a cross or other symbol as a a decorative touch to their ensemble, I wish they would understand that they demean my faith by representing themselves to be a part of something they just aren't living. You don't have to be a Christian to understand that one member of any group united around any cause or beliefs, can affect the way the entire group is perceived if they are seen to embrace hypocrisy.

Some will say this is judgmental on my part. So be it. I am pointing out what those not within the church notice all the time. To them, these are matters to be left to God to sort out (if they even acknowledge His existence). I certainly believe that God will deal with them in His good time, but there is no requirement I remain silent and watch as my Savior is dragged through the streets once again and crucified anew in the minds of all that make the connection. While I would love to see a truly repentant Monica living within the Christian faith, until she is dedicated to that faith, I would rather see her simply admit what is so obvious to the rest of us. She just isn't what she claims to be, in several areas of her life.