One Inman charge moves forward, judge raises questions on bribery case due to Citizens United
A federal judge in Grand Rapids Friday declined a motion to dismiss any of the three charges against indicted state Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg).
Chief Judge Robert Jonker said a charge of lying to federal law enforcement stands and will move forward to a likely jury trial. Meanwhile, charges of extortion and soliciting a bribe remain under advisement in the case before the U.S. Federal Court for the Western District of Michigan. Jonker said he would likely issue an opinion on the charges in the coming weeks.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that money equates to protected speech, Jonker, who was appointed to the bench by Republican former President George W. Bush, noted that the case raises new questions about when a campaign contribution could constitute a bribe.
Inman was indicted in May on allegations that he attempted to sell his vote on a union issue known as prevailing wage that was approved last summer by Republican lawmakers. The Traverse City-area lawmaker, who ultimately voted to repeal the law, is accused of soliciting a bribe from a union official in exchange for a vote against repeal.
Read more: https://www.michiganadvance.com/2019/08/09/one-inman-charge-moves-forward-judge-raises-questions-on-bribery-case-due-to-citizens-united/