Case Against Monica Conyers, Detroit Clears Hurdle

DETROIT (AP) - A judge has refused to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses Monica Conyers of pressuring a nonprofit group to fire an employee who wanted to recall her from the Detroit City Council in 2009.

The recent decision by federal Judge Victoria Roberts means the case will go to trial or the city will pay to settle it.

Theodis Collins claims Conyers pressured Mariners Inn to fire him when he declared a recall campaign against her. The substance-abuse center gets grants from Detroit.

Conyers denies the allegations. She resigned from the council in 2009 after pleading guilty to corruption and now is in federal prison.

The judge dismissed some counts in the lawsuit but others were allowed to stand. Conyers is the wife of Democratic U.S. Rep. John Conyers of Michigan.

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