By AP
DETROIT – A Detroit political consultant is going to federal court for his first appearance on corruption charges.
Sam Riddle is charged in two indictments with receiving and delivering bribes. Authorities say he conspired with a now-former Detroit City Council member, Monica Conyers, to shake down businesses in exchange for favors.
Riddle is due in federal court in Detroit at 1 p.m. Thursday. On Twitter.com, he says it's a "start of a legal battle" to affirm his innocence.
Riddle is also charged with delivering bribes to a Southfield councilman to help a jewelry store. Mary Waters, a former state lawmaker, is also charged in that case.
Waters' lawyer, Todd Flood, said she will fight the charges.
Conyers recently pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a Detroit contractor and quit the council.