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Ex-Lawmakers Courser, Gamrat Sued By Former Aides Alleging Retaliation

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Two conservative ex-lawmakers who had an extramarital affair and attempted to conceal it have been sued by former aides.

Former state Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat were sued Friday by Keith Allard and Ben Graham in Ingham County Circuit Court. The ex-aides seek whistle-blower protection and allege they were fired in retaliation for reporting information to House officials.

The state House expelled Gamrat, of Plainwell, from office on Sept. 11 and Courser, of Lapeer, resigned rather than be expelled. Both are seeking re-election.
The Associated Press left messages seeking comment from Courser and Gamrat's attorney.

Courser, 43, has admitted to sending an "outlandish" phony email to GOP activists and others in May claiming he was caught with a male prostitute. The email was intended to make his affair with the 42-year-old Gamrat appear less believable if it were exposed by an anonymous blackmailer who Courser said was demanding his resignation.

A House Business Office report alleged misconduct and misuse of public resources by Courser and Gamrat in an attempt to cover up their affair. The state police and attorney general are investigating.

TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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