Trial Set For Michigan Tea Partier Hit For Botched Cover-Up Of Affair

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

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker who quit office amid a sex scandal in 2015 is expected to face trial this spring on a perjury charge.

The Detroit News reports (http://detne.ws/2mSQYF0 ) Ingham County Circuit Court Judge William Collette set the May 22 trial, despite objections from Todd Courser’s attorney who says the case is being rushed.

Courser is accused of lying under oath during a legislative hearing about misconduct. Collette dismissed charges accusing Courser of misconduct in office.

In 2015, Courser asked an aide to send a phony email to cover up his affair with fellow GOP state Rep. Cindy Gamrat. Lawmakers later expelled Gamrat, but Courser resigned before they could punish him too. Charges against Gamrat were dismissed.

Courser has been declared competent for trial.

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Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/

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