LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan lawmaker says he won’t resign after sending an email to his Republican supporters falsely claiming he had been caught having sex with a male prostitute.

The Detroit News, citing audio recordings, reported Friday that Rep. Todd Courser of Lapeer had the email sent to apparently distract attention from his alleged extramarital affair with another lawmaker.

In a nearly 30-minute audio file posted Monday on his campaign website, Courser says he distributed the story because he was being blackmailed. He doesn’t say who sent the email.

The Detroit Free Press reports the House Business Office reviewed email and personnel records over the weekend. The investigation is to determine whether Courser and GOP state Rep. Cindy Gamrat of Plainwell broke House rules or whether there’s evidence of illegal behavior.


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