Monica Conyers Loses Bid to Leave Federal Prison

DETROIT (AP) - Former Detroit councilwoman Monica Conyers isn't leaving prison early.

Federal Judge Avern Cohn says he won't change Conyers' 37-month sentence and bring her home from a prison in West Virginia. In a one-page order Wednesday, he says he has no authority to reconsider the punishment.

Conyers reported to prison last September after pleading guilty to taking bribes to support a city contractor. The wife of U.S. Rep. John Conyers wants to come home, saying she won't commit another crime and her family needs her.

In a separate matter, Monica Conyers is asking an appeals court to allow her to withdraw her guilty plea.