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Hearing underway in Courser, Gamrat criminal cases

Posted at 12:41 PM, May 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-25 18:39:21-04

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A staffer for two former Michigan lawmakers who were forced from office in a sex scandal says Todd Courser lied under oath during testimony before a legislative disciplinary committee last year.

Joshua Cline was the first witness to testify Wednesday in a hearing that will determine if there is probable cause for Courser and Cindy Gamrat to go to trial. The conservative Republicans had an extramarital affair and face felony misconduct in office charges stemming from a House investigation.

They also are accused of telling staff to forge their signatures on legislation. Cline says Courser lied when he told lawmakers he had checked into whether having staff sign introduced bills was OK.

Courser has admitted to devising an explicit phony email that said he had been caught having sex with a male prostitute. He explained he thought his tale would make the affair less plausible if it was revealed by an extortionist demanding that they resign.

Gamrat took the stand later in the hearing.

FOX 17 was in court today as well and we'll have more on later editions of FOX 17 News.

The Associated Press contributed to his report.