Keith Allard and Benjamin Graham, former legislative aides to former State Representatives Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser each have won nearly $170,000 in a settlement of their suit against their former bosses in the State Legislature.
Gamrat, of Plainwell, a Tea Party activist who was expelled from the State Legislature on Sept. 11, 2015, was elected as the Republican State Representative from the 80th District, which includes Martin, Hopkins and Watson townships. Courser, who resigned his post, was from Lapeer. The two former lawmakers lost their jobs because of an extra-marital affair and attempted coverup.
Allard and Graham were fired in June 2015 and they insisted their dismissal was because of their whistleblowing activities reporting their bosses’ misconduct by using state personnel and property inappropriately.
Sarah Riley Howard, attorney for both aides, asserted her clients “have unfortunately been caught up in what Defendant characterizes as the ‘ongoing saga’ of misconduct by disgraced former legislators Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat” by reporting that Gamrat and Courser were having an affair.
Allard and Graham each received $169,985 in the settlement, and their attorneys $175,029.
The House of Representatives also agreed to pay their legal costs related to Courser and Gamrat.
Since Gamrat’s departure, State Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-South Haven) has taken the vacant seat in Lansing by winning a special election twice and she won again in the August primary and general election Nov. 8.
PHOTO: Former State Reps. Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser in happier times.
I certainly hope that the State of Michigan is looking to recoup that $134,000.00. Tax payer dollars to clean up behind the foul behaviors of Gamrat and Courser? This was a mess of their own making, and they should be held responsible for their actions. Of course the whistle blowers should be compensated. But those two love birds should pay restitution. The taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for cleaning up their mess.