Judge Dismisses Misconduct Charge Against Ex-Tea Party Lawmaker Who Faked Gay Sex Scandal

In this Jan. 14, 2015 photo, Rep. Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell, and Rep Todd Courser, R-Lapeer wave to reporters in the House of Representatives in Lansing. A Michigan House leader on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 requested an i... In this Jan. 14, 2015 photo, Rep. Cindy Gamrat, R-Plainwell, and Rep Todd Courser, R-Lapeer wave to reporters in the House of Representatives in Lansing. A Michigan House leader on Friday, Aug. 7, 2015 requested an investigation into allegations that Courser orchestrated the distribution of a fictional email claiming he had sex with a male prostitute in a bid to conceal an extramarital relationship. In audio recordings obtained by the Detroit News, Courser said the email was designed to create "a complete smear campaign" about him and Gamrat so a revelation about their relationship would seem "mild by comparison." (Dale G. Young /Detroit News via AP) DETROIT FREE PRESS OUT; HUFFINGTON POST OUT; MANDATORY CREDIT MORE LESS
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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A judge has dismissed a misconduct charge against an ex-Michigan lawmaker who quit office in a sex scandal last year.

Republican Todd Courser still faces a perjury charge in the case in Ingham County Circuit Court.

The Detroit News reports Judge William Collette dismissed the misconduct in office charge Thursday. MLive.com reports Courser’s attorney Matthew DePerno argued there was no criminal element to the charge related to an alleged violation of a House rule.

The Michigan attorney general’s office plans to move forward with perjury charge and misconduct charges in Lapeer County.

Courser resigned right before it voted to expel fellow GOP Rep. Cindy Gamrat. He’s accused of soliciting an aide to send a phony email to cover up an affair with Gamrat. Charges against Gamrat have been dismissed.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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