Judge: No 2nd trial for ex-lawmaker in campaign cash case
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A judge has dismissed criminal charges against a former Michigan lawmaker who was accused of trading votes for campaign money when he was in the House.
Larry Inman’s constitutional rights would be violated if he faced a second trial on charges of soliciting a bribe and attempted extortion, U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker said Monday.
In 2019, Inman was acquitted of lying to the FBI, but the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict on the other charges.
Jonker said jurors didn’t believe Inman was lying about his acts, a “key predicate” underlining the other charges.
“Mr. Inman was more blatant and less subtle than other more polished legislators and lobbyists,” the judge said. “But there was no evidence of under-the-table payments or solicitations; there was only the pursuit and payment of fully reportable campaign contributions like those made across-the-board on high profile issues like this one.”
In text messages, Inman, a Traverse City-area Republican, urged labor advocates to round up campaign contributions from other unions to win the votes of lawmakers who were under pressure from Republican leaders to repeal a wage law. He denied wrongdoing.
“I am just so elated and happy that the judge has decided to dismiss the two charges,” said Inman, who couldn’t run for reelection in 2020 because of term limits. “I don’t have a lot of faith in the federal justice system other than the judge and the jury.”
Nessel reinforces victim protection during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which runs through April 24.
This year marks NCVRW’s 40th anniversary. Its theme is Support Victims. Build Trust. Engage Communities.
“This week is dedicated to remembering crime victims and survivors,” Nessel said. “Equally important is highlighting the commitment law enforcement makes to protect victims, which is one of our chief responsibilities as we serve the people of Michigan.”
That commitment was reinforced last month when Nessel filed an amicus brief in People of the State of Michigan v. Ricky Dale Jack. The filing is in support of the people’s emergency application to protect the personal information of victims and witnesses in prosecutions, which is currently before the Michigan Supreme Court.
The application, and Nessel’s subsequent support, was in response to a Michigan Court of Appeals decision that ruled a prosecutor must provide addresses of victims and witnesses when turning over discovery.
“Victims and witnesses already face the fear of retaliation when they come forward to report a crime,” Nessel said. “If we are to build trust with those who fall victim to or witness a crime, we must maintain their privacy. We cannot achieve one without the other.”
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