Lawyers for state Representative Larry Inman says the government’s case against him would virtually shut down campaign fundraising and efforts to persuade voters to support candidates.
This brief is the response by Inman’s legal team to the government’s charges he tried to squeeze labor groups for campaign donations to get Republicans to vote against an anti-union bill. The brief says legislators and candidates have a right to convey their positions via print, radio, TV, and internet ads.
The brief also says there are other legislators who could face similar charges if the Traverse City Republican is tried and convicted of soliciting donations for votes. The state House has formally asked Inman to resign, but he has refused.
Inman faces up to 20 years in a federal corrections facility if the case goes to trial and he’s convicted of all charges.