Update 9:42 p.m. 10/17/19: A federal judge set the trial date. This story has been updated to reflect that change.
A motion to dismiss the criminal charges against State Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) has been denied.
Now Inman will go to trial in federal court over charges of soliciting a bribe, extortion and lying to the F.B.I. Federal prosecutors allege Inman tried to sell his vote on Michigan's prevailing wage law last May.
In a motion Inman's legal team argued that campaign contributions are protected by the first amendment and not subject to federal oversight, but Judge Jonker disagreed.
"The Court is satisfied, however, that the way to address these concerns is not through the dismissal of the Indictment that in all other respects complies with the Federal Rules. Rather it is through a judicious and well-thought-out instruction to the jury," his order reads.
Jonker set the pre-trial conference for November 12, while the federal trial will start December 3 at the U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
