New Charges in Synagro Scandal Imminent
Political Consultant Could Be Charged At Any Time, Sources Say
Watch: Riddle, State Rep. Deny Plea Deal Riddle is under FBI investigation in connection with alleged bribes to win approval of the sewage sludge contract awarded to Synagro Technologies Inc. in 2007.Riddle has repeatedly said he would not do what his former boss, ex-Councilwoman Monica Conyers, and city businessman Rayford Jackson did, which is accept plea deals and admit guilt to conspiracy to commit bribery.Conyers accepted a plea deal last month and was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery for reportedly accepting at least $6,000 in cash in exchange for her Council vote of the Synagro contract. She faces up to five years in prison.Charging documents state that on Nov. 20, 2007, Conyers "met an individual sent by Jackson in the parking lot of the Butzel Family Center in Detroit and received an envelope containing cash." It also states that on Dec. 4, 2007, Conyers and her aide, who has been identified as Riddle, also accepted an "envelope containing cash" in a Detroit McDonald's parking lot.Local 4 has learned that Riddle is angry that the federal government wants to charge him with more than what Conyers was offered in her plea deal a few weeks ago.The details of Riddle's plea deal have not been made public.Riddle and his lawyer, David Steingold, have refused to comment on the case on Monday.Two people who worked for Synagro have already pleaded guilty: Jackson and James Rosendall Jr. Jackson pleaded guilty June 15 to arranging four bribes in 2007.Rosendall pleaded guilty last year, accused of trying to influence city officials by chartering private planes to take them to Las Vegas and Mackinac Island, donating about $200,000 to campaign entities of a city official and paying $25,000 to an unidentified city official's relative.Jackson's brother is also being investigated in connection with the bribery.The FBI is also investigating Riddle in several other bribery cases. Riddle and state Rep. Mary Waters have been linked to Southfield City Councilman William Lattimore, who was charged with one felony count of bribery.The investigation involves alleged payoffs to help Southfield jewelry store Ziedmans move from a high-rise location to a stand-alone property at 10 Mile and Evergreen roads.Waters has not talked about her deal, but Local 4 has learned it would have included pleading guilty to one felony charge and in exchange the feds would not require substantial prison time for the former politician.A lawsuit claiming Conyers and Riddle bribed a strip club owner for approval to open a club in Detroit is also pending.
- June 22, 2009: Detroit Looks At Pay-To-Play Ordinance
- June 18, 2009: Guilty Plea Entered In Sludge Probe
- April 19, 2009: Mich., Others Scrutinize Syangro
- January 29, 2009: Detroit, Synagro Call It Quits
- January 29, 2009: Council Wants To End Synagro Contract
- January 29, 2009: Riddle Denies Part In Synagro Scandal
- January 28, 2009: Names Emerge In Synagro Scandal
- January 27, 2009: Rosendall Terminated From Synagro
- January 26, 2009: Union Wants Synagro Contract Thrown Out
- September 17, 2008: Detroit Businessman Testifies Before Grand Jury In Synagro Probe
- September 10, 2008: Councilwoman Testifies In Synagro Probe
- July 29, 2008: Council Votes Not To Rescind Synagro Contract
- July 15, 2008: Council Contemplates Synagro Deal Revote
- July 10, 2008: FBI Interviews Council Member Collins
- July 8, 2008: Union Protests Council's Synagro Contract










































A local man's poker face may help him win $8.5 million in cash Monday at the World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.
Police in Ann Arbor say they are looking for a group of four to 10 people who are responsible for the beating a 19-year-old University of Michigan student.
Marine biologists have figured out why a growing number of dead harbor porpoises have been found on California beaches in recent years: dolphin attacks.
The community and family of a 5-year-old South Lyon boy with cancer are celebrating Christmas this weekend.
Two-time Oscar-nominated actor James Woods has sued a Rhode Island hospital over the 2006 death of his younger brother.
He's a hometown boy made good but with some dark secrets. The Defenders reveal more on Dan Gilbert's hidden deal with Kwame Kilpatrick and an arrest he might not want you to know about.
Livonia police said thieves are first breaking into cars at the Livonia AMC theater and then targeting the victim's home.
Local 4's Paula Tutman becomes a target of a Facebook scam as she is reporting on Facebook security.
See the beauty of Michigan's most colorful season!
An American bulldog in Illinois gives birth to 21 puppies.
Unbelievable pictures of the damage left behind when a pumpkin is thrown through a windshield.
The 13 people killed when an Army psychiatrist allegedly opened fire on fellow soldiers at Fort Hood, Texas, included several people who shared the same profession as the alleged shooter. Here is a look at the victims.
Top-dollar designs don't always provide a good return for the rich and famous. Check out which celebs were caught in fashion flops.














