Lansing
District Court Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. ruled on Tuesday that former
Representative Todd Courser will stand trial on a charge of perjury and
misconduct while in office. The charges against former Representative Cindy
Gamrat have been dismissed.
The
Department of the Attorney General announced it would not try and appeal Ms.
Gamrat’s case, officially bringing it to a close. Judge Clarke said he could
not determine if Ms. Gamrat had knowledge of the email and that she never
directly asked a staffer to sign her name on a blueback. In terms of corrupt
intent, Judge Clarke believes there was none present for Ms. Gamrat.
Mr.
Courser, however, will be tried for perjury for allegedly lying under oath
during the House select committee investigations. Judge Clarke felt he did not
have enough information to determine if Mr. Courser intentionally made a false
statement, and therefore believes a jury can help decide. Mr. Clarke also ruled
the misconduct in office charge for ordering a staffer to sign a bill blueback
also stands. The remaining two misconduct in office charges were dismissed.
The
Department of the Attorney General is reviewing whether to appeal Judge
Clarke’s decision; they have 21 days to do so.