Nolan Finley

Commentary: What did John Conyers know?

John Conyers has stayed aloof from the bribery scandal that's smeared his convicted felon wife, answering questions about Monica Conyers with a defiant, "I'm not talking about that."

That would be OK if Conyers were a private guy drawing a private paycheck. But he's an elected public official, a Democratic congressman from Detroit, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. He shouldn't get to decide what he isn't going to talk about when the issue is public corruption.

Rep. Conyers got splashed with his wife's taint this week during the federal bribery trial of her former sidekick, political consultant Sam Riddle. Greektown developer Jim Papas, frequently on the fringes of City Hall muck, testified that he gave Riddle $10,000 to share with Monica Conyers. Papas was looking for help in securing a letter from the congressman in support of his Romulus waste disposal well.

Monica Conyers called her husband's office, and Papas got the letter.

So what did John Conyers know about the $10,000 pay-out? Was he told about the letter? And if he did know, could this be considered influence peddling by proxy?

These are questions a congressman should have to answer, particularly one who heads the committee that oversees his wife's prosecutors. And there are other questions.

Earlier in the week, Detroit developer Melvin Washington testified he showered Monica Conyers with gifts to win her vote on a $15 million loan from the city's pension fund. Washington told the court Monica Conyers was literally in his pocket -- she'd slip her hand in it and grab some loose C-notes when they were together.

Washington also claims to have paid school tuition for the Conyers' son.

Granted, the Conyers don't appear to enjoy anything resembling a traditional marriage. But they aren't divorced or legally separated.

We can't just assume that they keep their finances apart.

Did John Conyers know his son's schooling came courtesy of a businessman courting his wife's vote? Did he get any benefit from the extra money his wife was taking in? Does he share an account with Monica Conyers?

We don't know because Conyers, who is notorious for dragging public officials before his committee to answer his questions, doesn't feel compelled to respond himself.

No one is more arrogant than a politician in a "safe" seat. Conyers has never faced a serious challenge and probably won't this fall.

If he weren't allowed to take his re-election as a God-given right, we might be able to get some answers out of our congressman. He might remember that he serves at the people's discretion, and that his business is the people's business.

Voters deserve a full explanation from John Conyers.

If he's not willing to "talk about that," then his constituents should look for a congressman who understands he answers to them.

Nolan Finley is editorial page editor of The News. Reach him at nfinley@detnews.com or (313) 222-2064. Watch him at 8:30 p.m. Fridays on "Am I Right?" on Detroit Public TV, Channel 56.