Courser, Gamrat Sued in Whistleblower Lawsuit by Ex-Aides

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Two former aides who were fired without explanation after they exposed the sex scandal and bizarre cover-up scheme of their former bosses are suing the disgraced former lawmakers for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and slandering them after the affair was exposed

The lawsuit, filed by former aides to ex-Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat, seeks whistleblower protection. It was filed Friday in Ingham County Circuit Court, The Detroit News said.

Keith Allard and Ben Graham were fired on July 6 without explanation, they said because they had reported ethical and campaign finance violations by Courser and Gamrat to House Speaker Kevin Cotter’s office.

The statute of limitations on a whistleblower lawsuit expired Sunday, but Allard and Graham’s attorneys said they had a deal with Michigan House of Representatives attorneys to suspend the 90-day requirement. The House wasn’t named as a defendant, but could be added later.

The affair between the two Tea Party Republicans was exposed by The Detroit News in a story detailing secret audio recordings made by former aides who had been asked to participate in a fake gay sex misinformation campaign orchestrated by Courser.

The aides refused to go along with the scheme, which involved the distribution of sexually explicit emails accusing Courser — a staunch gay marriage opponent — of paying for sex with a male prostitute. Courser reportedly figured the fake scandal would be so over the top that no one would believe it, and would deflect attention away from the real extramarital affair.

Courser resigned moments before the House was set to take a vote on his expulsion last month, and Gamrat was expelled. Both are now candidates in special elections to replace themselves.

Catch Up on This Story

• State Rep Wanted to Cover Up Affair With Fake Gay Sex Scandal
• Rep. Courser’s Brother Posts Alleged Blackmail Texts Online
• Not My Finest Moment’ – State Rep Apologizes for Fake Sex Scandal Scheme
• Legislators Not Quitting, Ex-Aide Shares Steamy Details of Affair
• Lawmakers OK Inquiry into House Sex Scandal and Cover-Up
• Select Committee to Decide Fate of Lawmakers in Sex Scandal: Read the Report
• Watch Sex Scandal Hearings Live: Gamrat Expected to Admit Guilt to Keep Job
• Courser Pleads for His Job, Says His ‘Heart Is Sincere’: Watch the Hearing
• Republican-Controlled House Can’t Muster Enough Votes to Oust Courser and Gamrat
• Michigan Lawmakers Ousted in Bizarre Sex Scandal
• Disgraced Lawmaker Cindy Gamrat Files Papers to Replace Herself
• Both of Michigan’s Tea Party Trysters Want Their Jobs Back