Rep. John Conyers' son — who he endorsed to replace him — was reportedly arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

• Rep. John Conyers announced his retirement on Tuesday following a series of sexual harassment allegations, and endorsed his son to succeed him.
• His son, John Conyers III, was reportedly arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse in February but was not charged.

John Conyers III, the son of embattled Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, was arrested under suspicion of domestic abuse in Los Angeles but was not charged, NBC News reported on Wednesday.

The younger Conyers was arrested in February after his girlfriend called the police and said he "body slammed her on the bed and then on the floor where he pinned her down and spit on her," NBC News reported, citing a police report. She said Conyers became aggressive after going through her computer and accusing her of cheating.

The girlfriend added that when she attempted to call the police, Conyers took her phone and "chased" her to the kitchen. After she grabbed a knife and told him to leave, she said he took the knife and swung it at her, cutting her arm in the process.

Conyers' account differed from his girlfriend's, according to NBC News. He alleged that his girlfriend tried to throw him out of their house after consuming alcohol and marijuana. He said they started becoming aggressive with each other, and that she threatened him with the knife.

Conyers, a Detroit hedge fund manager, was later arrested and released on a $50,000 bond that day, authorities told NBC News.

Rep. Conyers announced his retirement from Congress Tuesday after several women accused him of varying degrees of sexual misconduct. After declaring that he would be leaving the House of Representatives, effective immediately, Conyers endorsed his son to succeed him.

Conyers, the longest serving member of Congress, has denied allegations that he settled a 2015 sexual-harassment complaint with a former staffer who claimed she was fired after rebuffing his advances. He also said he could not explain where the allegations against him came from.

On Tuesday, the elder Conyers dismissed such reports as politically motivated said they would not impact his reputation.

"My legacy can't be compromised or diminished in any way by what we're going through now. This too shall pass," he said. "I want you to know that my legacy will continue through my children."

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