Detroit offered $3M settlement in strip club case

DETROIT (AP) -- Municipal lawyers have asked the Detroit City Council to OK a $2.95 million settlement of a strip club's lawsuit that claims the council illegally blocked a license transfer after operators were solicited for a bribe. The council voted 5-4 in 2006 to reject the Zoo Bar's license transfer. Strip club officials have testified that an aide to now-imprisoned ex-Councilwoman Monica Conyers sought a $25,000 bribe. The owners say they didn't pay a bribe to Sam Riddle, and the wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers voted against the transfer. Riddle's in prison, too. The Detroit News says the council got the settlement recommendation Tuesday and could vote as early as next week. Zoo Bar lawyer Brad Shafer his clients are ready for trial if the council doesn't want to deal. Published: Thu, Jul 14, 2011