LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A judge has dismissed charges against a former Michigan lawmaker while ordering another ex-legislator to stand trial after they were forced from office in a sex scandal.
Lansing District Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. ruled Tuesday there's not enough probable cause for tea party conservative Cindy Gamrat to face felony misconduct in office charges. But he said Republican former Rep. Todd Courser will go to trial on two of four counts.
"Judge Clarke was correct to approve of these charges and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law in circuit court," the Michigan attorney general's office said in a statement. The office also said they are not planning on appealing any of the charges brought against Gamrat.
Clarke tossed two other charges against Courser.
Gamrat became only the fourth legislator in state history to be expelled in September. Courser resigned.
Michigan's attorney general accused them of lying during the legislative probe and having staff forge their signatures on draft legislation.
