The Republican leader of the State House says he's investigating reports of possible wrongdoing by two GOP lawmakers, including one from Allegan County.
The Gongwer News Service says House Speaker Kevin Cotter announced the investigation into representatives Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell) and Todd Courser (R-Silverwood) early Friday morning.
Gongwer says the investigation involves audio recordings revealed by the Detroit News that suggested House staff members were used to try to cover up an affair between Gamrat and Courser. Both are part of the GOP's "Tea Party" wing. Gongwer says the staffers refused the lawmakers' request and were later reassigned.
Cotter says the House Business Office will conduct the investigation. He says it will look into possible violations of House rules as well as "illegal behavior". Gongwer quotes Cotter as saying, "We will not stand for any violation of House rules or law, and we will not let anyone's actions tarnish this institution..."
Neither Gamrat nor Courser were immediately available for comment.
This isn't the first time Cotter and Gamrat have clashed. The speaker reprimanded Gamrat for comments she made on her Facebook page that Cotter said broke House rules about revealing details of legislative debate held behind closed doors. Gamrat disputed the charge and said she had done nothing wrong.
