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Former Michigan Reps. Courser, Gamrat Face Felony Charges

LANSING (WWJ) - Two former state lawmakers are now facing felony charges in connection with their scandalous love affair.

Attorney General Bill Schuette said his decision comes after a review of emails, phones and computers following the resignation of Tea Party Republican Todd Courser and expulsion of Cindy Gamrat in the fall of 2015.

"Representatives Courser and Gamrat, sadly, failed to serve their constituents in an honorable fashion," Schuette said, during a news conference Friday. "And, worse yet, worse yet, we allege — and we will prove in court, beyond a reasonable doubt — that they broke the law."

Courser has been charged with four felonies: perjury for lying under oath and three counts of misconduct for allegeldy lying and instructing people to send out false emails. Gamrat was charged with two counts of felony misconduct in office.

Courser last year admitted to concocting a scheme to spread rumors that he had sex with male prostitutes to distract from, or to cover up, his real with affair with Gamrat.

"The voters placed a sacred trust in the hands of Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat when they chose them to serve as their voices in the Capitol," said Schuette. "But instead of serving their home towns, they served only themselves at the expense of everyone else. "With the filing of these charges, it is my hope that citizens of Michigan see that no one is above the law, not even those who walk in the halls of power."

Schuette, a Republican, stressed that politics did not play a part in the investigation

"When I started this investigation on September 4th, I stated that it would be conducted without fear or favor, and without consideration of political party affiliation," Schuette said. "And that is precisely, that is precisely what has occurred."

Courser's charges carry a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison.

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