Ex-Michigan lawmaker Larry Inman in court for 2nd trial over bribery, extortion charges

GRAND RAPIDS — Former Michigan lawmaker Larry Inman is back in court, and the government rested its case on Wednesday in the second trial against the Traverse City-area Republican who is accused of trying to sell his vote on a measure to repeal Michigan's prevailing wage law in 2018.

Prosecutors allege Inman, a Republican from Williamsburg, sought campaign donations from the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and other unions in return for "no" votes on a measure to repeal Michigan's prevailing wage law, which requires union wage rates on most public projects.

In 2019, a federal grand jury charged Inman, 69, with attempted extortion, soliciting a bribe, and making a false statement to the FBI. Later that year, a jury acquitted Inman of lying to investigators but could not reach a verdict on the extortion or bribery charges, setting the stage for a second trial in front of U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker in Grand Rapids. That trial began Monday.

Inman, like most Republicans in the House at the time, voted "yes" on the repeal, although the Democratic-led Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reinstated Michigan's prevailing wage law in 2023, which will take effect in February.

The second trial began with jury selection Monday, and court records show government prosecutors have called a series of witnesses including state Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, who was in the House in 2018, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, other former House Republican staffers and investigators.

Leonard, who was speaker in 2017 and 2018, testified Wednesday that Inman pulled him aside to speak with him as Democratic lawmakers were making floor speeches urging "no" votes on the prevailing wage repeal in June 2018.

Leonard testified that up until the vote began, he and House Republican leadership staff had believed Inman would vote "no" on the prevailing wage repeal. This wasn't an issue, Leonard said, because they believed there were already enough votes to pass the repeal.

But as Democratic lawmakers began making floor speeches, Inman asked Leonard if the two could speak, Leonard testified. He said he, Inman and a staffer walked into a nearby caucus room and Inman said he would be voting "yes."

Defense attorneys began calling witnesses Wednesday and are expected to continue their case through at least Thursday, after which the jury can begin deliberating.

Parker Douglas, one of Inman's attorneys, said Wednesday it's unclear whether Inman will take the stand in his own defense. In the first trial, Inman testified on his own behalf and cited as a defense an addiction to painkillers, following a series of surgeries, that affected his memory and judgment, according to Free Press reporting from the time.

If found guilty, Inman could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for the most serious charge.

Lansing Bureau Chief Paul Egan contributed with prior reporting.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Larry Inman in court for 2nd trial over bribery, extortion charges