Riddle granted change of lawyer

Paul Egan / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Controversial political consultant Sam Riddle had a lively exchange Monday with one of two federal judges scheduled to handle bribery charges against him.

"This isn't the time for you to be making speeches," U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn told Riddle, cutting short the former Detroit City Council aide after he announced in court: "I will not be the fall guy for the rich and famous and well-connected."

Cohn ruled Riddle will get a new attorney to defend him on federal bribery and extortion charges, but it's unlikely it will be Riddle's attorney of choice -- former federal prosecutor Richard Convertino.

Riddle recently filed court papers saying he wanted to replace his court-appointed attorney, David Steingold of Detroit, with Convertino of Plymouth. Riddle said he thought Steingold was a good attorney but was too busy to give his case enough attention.

Cohn told Riddle that Steingold was chosen to represent him by the Federal Defender Office after the court granted Riddle's request for an appointed lawyer because he said he couldn't afford one. Convertino isn't on a list of court-appointed attorneys, Cohn said.

"You can't choose your lawyer when you file an affidavit of indigency," Cohn told Riddle.

"I understand that now," Riddle replied.

Cohn and U.S. District Judge Marianne O. Battani told Steingold he could withdraw from representing Riddle after Steingold said Riddle filed court papers asking for Convertino to be named his new lawyer without discussing the matter with Steingold.

"I do not feel I have sufficient control over my client if he would do something like this," Steingold said in court.

Riddle said Steingold was too busy and did not even know Riddle's address -- an allegation Steingold described as "preposterous."

Riddle is facing two bribery related federal trials -- one involving alleged corruption in the city of Detroit, the other to alleged corruption in Southfield.

The Detroit allegations relate to alleged shakedowns by Riddle while he was a top aide to former City Councilwoman Monica Conyers. That trial, before Cohn, is expected to last a month. Conyers has pleaded guilty to bribery and awaits sentencing Dec. 1.

The Southfield allegations relate to a $7,500 bribe that Riddle and his partner, former state representative Mary Waters, allegedly paid to former Southfield City Councilman William Lattimore.

Both trials are set for January.

Lattimore has pleaded guilty to taking a bribe in connection with approving the relocation of a pawn shop. He awaits sentencing.

Outside court, Riddle said he thought the court could appoint Convertino and he still hoped to get his attorney of choice.

Otherwise, "I'll just have to take whoever," Riddle said. "Maybe I'll get Matlock."