Former Michigan Republican Rep. Larry Inman was acquitted of all charges of bribery and extortion Thursday after a second corruption trial, according to the Detroit Free Press.
Inman, 69, was indicted in 2019 on charges of soliciting bribes, attempted extortion and lying to federal investigators. according to In the Detroit Free Press. Officials previously announced that the former Republican lawmaker had won election from state labor unions, including the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, in exchange for voting “no” on wage laws that would require unions to pay prevailing wages on most public works projects. He claimed he was asking for financial donations. The outlet reported. (Related: New Michigan poll finds Democratic and Republican candidates narrowly winning open Senate seat)
A jury in 2019 initially found Inman not guilty of lying to investigators, but could not reach a verdict on the remaining counts, forcing the trial to enter a second trial, Detroit reported. Free Press reported. The congressman's lawyer, James Fisher, told the newspaper that he was “delighted” that Inman was able to bring the incident to light and said he was “vindicated.” I emphasized what I was feeling.
“I think he’s very happy to have accomplished this,” Fisher said. “I feel like he was vindicated because this was a very long battle for him. And he said nothing other than that he was not guilty of these charges, and that the jury believed that.” think.”
Former Republican state lawmaker Larry Inman acquitted on federal corruption charges https://t.co/dvpOYbOwGx
— Detroit News (@detroitnews) January 12, 2024
The newspaper said the jury deliberated for 45 minutes on Thursday before reaching its final verdict, in contrast to the first hearing, in which the jury deliberated for 10 hours over two days. (Related: Michigan Congressman Josh Shriver creates policy to strip tax exemptions from 'non-theistic' religions)
Mr. Inman served in the Michigan State Assembly from 2015 to 2020, and Mr. Fisher said he doubted Mr. Inman would return to politics after his acquittal.
“It's going to be very difficult for him to come back into politics going forward, just because he's struggled throughout this whole process,” Fisher told the Detroit Press. “I hope the people he represented see this and see him in a positive light. I think he's a good person who deserves to be celebrated for what he did for his constituents.”
During Inman's time, the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature ultimately repealed the existing wage law in 2018. returned After Democrats took control of both the House and Senate. The current law is scheduled to be re-enacted in March.
