(AP) -- A Detroit political consultant will get a new legal team for a second trial on corruption charges. A federal judge on Monday granted a request by Sam Riddle's lawyers to drop out of the case. Riddle had no objection, saying he wants attorneys who are "bare-knuckled fighters" when he goes to trial July 12 on charges of conspiracy and extortion. A mistrial was declared last week when a jury failed to reach a verdict.
Riddle is accused of working with Monica Conyers to collect bribes when she was on the Detroit City Council. He faces trial in a separate federal corruption case on June 1.
Riddle is accused of arranging bribes to pave the way for a pawn shop in Southfield.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)