The Latest: Michigan lawmaker surprised about charges

LANSING, Mich. — The Latest on a Michigan lawmaker charged with seeking to sell votes on an issue important to unions in exchange for campaign contributions (all times local):

12:19 p.m.

A Michigan lawmaker charged with seeking to trade his vote for campaign contributions says he’s surprised to hear about the indictment.

Rep. Larry Inman tells The Detroit News that he spoke to the FBI last summer after the Legislature voted to repeal a wage law on government construction projects. He says agents “had some questions on the vote.” But he says he didn’t have the “slightest idea” of the focus of the investigation.

Inman declined further comment.

The Traverse City-area Republican is charged with attempted extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. Inman is accused of seeking campaign contributions in exchange for voting to keep the wage law. In the end, he voted with the majority to repeal it.

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10:31 a.m.

A Michigan lawmaker has been charged with seeking a bribe from a labour union in exchange for a favourable vote on a wage issue.

A federal grand jury indicted state Rep. Larry Inman on charges of attempted extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. Inman is a Republican from the Traverse City area who is serving his third term in the House after decades as a local official in northern Michigan.

Inman is accused of pledging to vote against an effort to repeal Michigan’s prevailing wage law if he could get campaign contributions from a carpenters union. Prosecutors say the union didn’t respond as requested, and Inman voted to repeal the law.

A message seeking comment was left for Inman on Wednesday. His website says his interests include looking for Amelia Earhart’s plane.

The Associated Press