The Detroit Free Press reports that Rep. John Conyers’ wife pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit bribery.  Detroit City Council member Monica Conyers faces up to five years in prison.

She has long been under suspicion in the Synagro Technologies bribery probe, not least because she had been a vocal opponent of the contract before suddenly switching her sentiments. She became the deciding voice in the city council’s 5-4 vote to approve the sludge-hauling deal in November 2007.

In other Conyers family news, House Judiciary Committee Chair John Conyers has allegedly called off a probe of ACORN because the “powers that be decided against it.”

Mr. Conyers, Michigan Democrat, earlier bucked his party leaders by calling for hearings on accusations the Association of Community Organization for Reform Now (ACORN) has committed crimes ranging from voter fraud to a mob-style “protection” racket.

“The powers that be decided against it,” Mr. Conyers told The Washington Times.

The chairman declined to elaborate, shrugging off questions about who told him how to run his committee and give the Democrat-allied group a pass.