FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
August 10, 2015
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Progress Michigan Doubles Down on Call for Independent Courser Investigation
Michigan State Police should handle probe into lawmaker’s actions, GOP Leadership
LANSING — Today, Progress Michigan called for an investigation by the Michigan State Police into the situation surrounding State Rep. Todd Courser. The investigation should also include Speaker Kevin Cotter and House GOP leadership.
As reported by MIRS, staff involved in this incident met with Speaker Cotter’s Chief of Staff before this story came to light on Friday.
“Since Speaker Cotter’s staff met with the individuals involved in this situation prior to this news being made public, it is time to remove this investigation from the House Business Office, which ultimately reports directly to Speaker Cotter,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “We have the highest faith in Tim Bowlin, however, given the gravity of the situation and the allegations which have been made, this investigation should not be handled internally.”
Courser recently released an audio statement claiming he was being blackmailed regarding his affair with fellow Tea Party Rep. Cindy Gamrat. Last week following the news of the cover up, Progress Michigan called for both Courser and Gamrat to resign.
“Given the fact that Rep. Courser has been accused of using public resources to try to cover up his wrongdoing and now Courser has accused former staffers and House leadership of blackmailing him, it’s only appropriate that the Michigan State Police conduct this investigation,” Scott continued. “This entire situation is playing out like a bad episode of House of Cards and the public deserves the truth. It’s important that we know what the Republican leadership knew about this situation, and when they knew it.”
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