Monica Conyers Resigns

Detroit (WWJ) -- Effective July 6, Monica Conyers will resign her seat on the Detroit City Council. The 44-year-old Conyers, the wife of Democratic congressman John Conyers, admitted Friday in federal court to taking cash from a Houston company in exchange for her vote on a $47 million sludge treatment contract. Conyers' letter of resignation was received Monday by Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey. Conyers says in the one-paragraph memo that her staff ``will be available until December 31, 2009 to assist in the offices of my colleagues.'' View Conyers' resignation letter. "I am glad she did the right thing and resign from the Detroit City Council," said Council President Cockrel. Now we as a council and a city, can move on and forward in focusing on the vital issues our city faces -- and we will," Cockrel said. Cockrel Monday morning had renewed his call for Conyers to resign, but added he was prepared to begin forfeiture hearings. Cockrel said after Conyers' plea to bribery charges, she should no longer be drawing a city paycheck. "Regardless of what various legal opinions may say, it is my opinion that in pleading guilty to a federal crime Ms. Conyers has essentially forfeited her seat," Cockrel said at a news conference. He added council would continue to work as if Conyers' seat was vacant. Cockrel said should Conyers decide not to resign, he was ready to draft resolutions to remove Conyers from all committees and the council itself. Cockrel said the language would include retaining attorney Bill Goodman "for the purpose of pursuing forfeiture proceedings should they become necessary." Cockrel said he spoke with Conyers Sunday evening, and she told him it was her intent not to resign immediately, but to first take some time to confer with her family. A spokeswoman for Conyers, Denise Tolliver, told WWJ's Florence Walton Conyers planned to be at work Monday. She was scheduled to be at a Budget, Finance and Audit Standing Committee meeting Monday afternoon.