DETROIT -- A federal judge has set a cutoff date for Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle to settle any plea negotiations in a controversial city sludge hauling contract case.

Nov. 30 is the last day for Riddle to decide whether he will accept a plea deal.

Riddle is facing 10 extortion-related charges in connection with his work as a top aide to former Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers.

According to the federal indictment, between March 2006 and December 2007, Riddle "did knowingly and intentionally conspire with Monica Conyers and others to knowingly, willingly and unlawfully commit extortion ... in that they agreed to attempt to obtain, and did obtain, cash payments, consulting contracts, and other property from persons who dealt with, or sought to deal with the Detroit City Council ..."

Conyers pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. She is expected to be sentenced later this fall and faces a maximum of 5 years in prison. She resigned from council after she accepted a plea deal.

Riddle pleaded not guilty in July.

"I will not be a fall guy for the privileged and well-connected," Riddle told the media outside court after his plea.

Riddle has repeatedly said he would not accept a plea deal and go to trial, which has been scheduled for Jan. 5.

Before he decides whether to take a plea agreement, a judge will hold what is called a pretrial conference on Nov. 2. That is where Riddle will learn what his punishment could be if he decides to go to trial, and loses.