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Inman's attorney says charges aren't federal issue, wants case dismissed

Max Johnston

The attorney for State Representative Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) wants the charges against his client dismissed. Inman has plead not guilty to charges of extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. 

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District alleges Inman offered to trade one of his votes in the Michigan House of Representatives for campaign money. But Inman's Attorney Chris Cooke says the U.S. District Court can only get involved if the alleged crimes violate interstate commerce.

"The state government has the capability to enforce laws in the state, and unless there’s some connection with federal jurisdiction [then] the federal government shouldn’t be involved," Cooke says.

Cooke says he’ll also argue that Inman had diminished cognitive ability during the alleged crimes from the long-term use of pain medication.
 

Max came to IPR in 2017 as an environmental intern. In 2018, he returned to the station as a reporter and quickly took on leadership roles as Interim News Director and eventually Assignment Editor. Before joining IPR, Max worked as a news director and reporter at Michigan State University's student radio station WDBM. In 2018, he reported on a Title IX dispute with MSU in his story "Prompt, Thorough and Impartial." His work has also been heard on Michigan Radio, WDBM and WKAR in East Lansing and NPR.