Michigan GOP lawmaker indicted after being accused of trying to sell vote, lying to the FBI

Michigan House of Representatives. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A federal grand jury indicted a Michigan lawmaker Wednesday after he was accused of trying to sell his vote and lying to the FBI.

Details: Rep. Larry Inman (R-Traverse City) is charged with attempted extortion, soliciting a bribe and making a false statement to the FBI. He says he's innocent of all charges and rejected calls from Democrats to resign.

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The big picture: The indictment alleges Inman sent a text message days before a June 2018 vote on repealing a state law requiring union wage rates on most public projects. The recipient was allegedly the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights — a union that previously contributed to his campaign, according to The Washington Post. He denied to the FBI "having any such communications," the indictment says.

"We will get a ton of pressure on this vote. Its not worth losing assignments and staff for $5,000. . . . My suggestion is you need to get people maxed out. I am not sure you can hold 12 [legislators considering blocking the repeal] for the only help of $5,000. . . . People will not go down for $5,000, not that we dont appreciate it."

Text message Inman allegedly sent, according to the indictment

What's next? Inman is due to be arraigned in the federal court in Grand Rapids on May 23.