*Detroit Councilwoman Monica Conyers, the wife of Democratic congressman John Conyers, resigned her seat Monday – three days after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery for her vote on a sludge hauling contract.
The 44-year-old quietly had a staffer bring the City Clerk's office a one-paragraph letter announcing her resignation, reports the Associated Press.
Prosecutors said John Conyers knew nothing of his wife's wrongdoing, and he has been cleared of involvement in the bribery case.
More than a year ago, former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was confronted with stepping aside or being forced out as mayor over a text-messaging sex scandal. Conyers watched as Kilpatrick lost a monthslong fight to hang on and eventually went to jail.
Conyers faced equally strong demands from colleagues to relinquish her council seat.
"What happened today was necessary. It was not something that was easy," City Council President Ken Cockrel Jr. said. "The next step is for the City Council to really get back to business as usual."