LANSING, Mich. — Two Michigan representatives are being investigated after allegedly using state resources to cover up an affair.
Audio recordings obtained by the Detroit News reveal State Representative Todd Courser, R-Lapeer County, was apparently planning to distribute a fictional email alleging he had sex with a male prostitute in order to hide his relationship with Representative Cindy Gamrat, R-Allegan County.
The discussion took place between Courser and a former House aide, Ben Graham, according to the Detroit News. In the recordings, Courser asked Graham to send out an e-mail to other Republicans as an anonymous political enemy.
At one point, Courser discloses what the email will contain to Graham, saying, “…Courser secretly removed from caucus several weeks ago due to a male on male paid for sex…behind a prominent Lansing nightclub…he is a…sexual porn addicted…sexual deviant. Then you just get nasty about it…”
Graham says nobody will believe it, but Courser responds, “Correct…no they’ll believe some of it…[Courser’s] a freak.”
Courser and Gamrat will be investigated by the House Business Office, according to Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesperson for House Speaker Kevin Cotter’s Office.
There is no timetable for the investigation, but D’Assandro tells WXMI they hope the investigation “doesn’t drag out too long.”
If Courser and Gamrat are found guilty, punishment ranges from stripping them of their positions, staff and resources to expulsion from the House of Representatives.
A removal would require the House passing a resolution with two-thirds of the vote.
