Story highlights Michigan lawmakers at the center of an affair and cover-up were forced out of the Legislature

They are now facing felony charges

(CNN) Two ousted Michigan lawmakers embroiled last year in a scandal involving an affair and a fake prostitution email have been charged with felony misconduct in office, officials said Friday.

State Attorney General Bill Schuette announced the charges against ex-representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. Courser also faces a perjury accusation.

A state report last year found the pair abused their office for personal and political reasons.

Schuette, in a press release, said charges "will allege that Gamrat and Courser engaged in a pattern of corrupt conduct while holding state office, including both lying to the House Business Office during its investigation and Courser lying during testimony before the House Select Committee, while under oath, about directing staff to forge his signature on proposed legislation."

Robert Baker, who will help represent Gamrat, cited thousands of dollars spent on the investigation and two charges under a "vague catchall statute that appears on its face unconstitutional."

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