Following an investigation by the office of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, philandering Republicans Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser have had multiple felony charges filed against them today:
Former state reps Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat will face felony charges for their role in a scandal to cover-up their extramarital affair, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Friday.
The charges, according to the attorney general’s office, are:
Gamrat:
• Two charges of Misconduct in Office, MCL 750.505, a felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a maximum $10,000 fine.
Courser:
• Three charges of Misconduct in Office, MCL 750.505, a felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a maximum $10,000 fine.
• One charge of Perjury, MCL 750.423, a felony, with a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.The charges were filed this morning in Ingham County District Court, and both of the former lawmakers will be contacted by their attorneys and “have been offered the chance to turn themselves in to the Michigan State Police,” according to the attorney general’s office.
The Detroit Free Press has more:
Schuette obtained warrants in Ingham County courts for four felonies against Courser: lying under oath to the Select Committee in the House of Representatives, a 15-year felony; and three counts of misconduct in office in connection with asking staffers to send a false e-mail, lying to the House Business Office and asking staffers to forge his signature on proposed legislation.
The two felonies against Gamrat also are for misconduct in office, a five year felony, for asking staffers to sign her name and lying to the House Business Office.
No word yet on whether or not any charges will be filed by House Republican leaders essentially looked the other way as the two former legislators cheated on their spouses together and broke multiple laws. Given that Schuette will be seeking their support when he runs for governor in a few years, my money is on them getting away with their malfeasance.
However, former Courser and Gamrat staffers Keith Allard and Ben Graham still have a lawsuit pending against House Speaker Cotter and the House of Representatives so there’s always the chance that will bear some fruit.
Stay tuned as this disgusting worm continues its inexorable turn…
[If you’re just joining the story, all my posts about it can be found HERE. Give yourself plenty of time. There are more than fifty posts.]
