On Friday, Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that felony charges of misconduct in office have been filed against former State Representatives Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser.  The charges come as a result of joint investigation by the MSP and the Department of Attorney General into the actions of the two former state officials that ended with the expulsion of Ms. Gamrat and the resignation of Mr. Courser last year.  The defendants have been offered the chance to turn themselves in to the MSP.  Arraignments are expected soon thereafter.  The Attorney General said that charges will allege that both parties engaged in a pattern of corrupt conduct while holding state office, including both lying to the House Business Office during its investigation and Mr. Courser lying during testimony before the House Select Committee, while under oath, about directing staff to forge his signature on proposed legislation.  Specifically, Ms. Gamrat has been charged with two charges of Misconduct in Office, a felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a maximum $10,000 fine.  Mr. Courser has been charged with three charges of Misconduct in Office, a felony, with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a maximum $10,000 fine and with one charge of perjury, a felony, with a maximum penalty of fifteen years in prison.

Additionally, the case will be forwarded to the Secretary of State’s office, which has initial jurisdiction over state campaign finance law, to review for possible violations.  It has also been forwarded to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, as Mr. Courser is currently licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.

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