Embattled Michigan Rep Todd Courser Releases Texts From Supposed Blackmailer

Yesterday the bizarre political soap opera surrounding Todd

Todd Courser /  Cindy Gamrat

Courser and his alleged affair with fellow State Representative Cindy Gamrat got even stranger.  Todd Courser stated that he was being blackmailed about his relationship with Gamrat and yesterday he released texts and named names.

Todd Courser, named Flushing Michigan political consultant David Forsmark as one of his blackmailers. 

 David Forsmark, owner of Winning Strategies a political consulting firm and writer for PJ Media and The Atheist Conservative, denies contacting Todd Courser and states doesn't even have his phone number.  Winning Strategies has been in existence since 1991 according to Manta and has helped hundreds of political candidates on both sides of the isle. 

David Forsmark's bio on his business website reads: "For 20 years before that, he wrote book, movie and concert reviews as a stringer for the Flint Journal, a midsize daily newspaper. David was also the popular culture critic for Credo, a weekly newspaper "for Catholic and other Christians" where he became possibly the first Baptist to win 2 Catholic press awards."

His work has also appeared in National Review Online, St. Austin Review and other publications

  

David Forsmark

Even if Courser was being blackmailed he should have come clean and allowed authorities to investigate.  Courser should have known he was not above the law, especially as an attorney.  Couser has stated he has contacted authorities yet the State Police have no record.  The Attorney General's office is remaining quiet on the issue.

Here is the press release Courser posted on his Facebook Wall for the media to pick up  and  the screen shots of the alleged blackmailer:

Representative Todd Courser today has released blackmail text messages he received since May showing that he was subject to threats and cyber-spying.The texts show Courser was told to resign his office or else information about his personal indiscretions would be released. Courser said he has been in contact with authorities over a period of time and is urging that the proper authorities investigate the matter.

He said he will be exonerated on claims that he used state resources and staff improperly. Rather, Courser said the actions that he took regarding his staff was meant to try and pin down exactly who is blackmailer was. "These texts from the blackmailer show a lot. They are very intimate. They were freakishly stalking. It was in this environment that I was acting to find out who was involved in the blackmailing," Courser said.

"They involved access to conversations, texts, locations, and family info including private cell data. It was constant surveillance from January forward." Based on select information he released and who he release that information to, he has concluded that his former staff worked with political consultant David Forsmark to concoct a plot to remove him from office.

Only Josh Cline, Ben Graham and Keith Allard had the access to the information he was confronted with by his blackmailer. Courser said the blackmailer told him he was meeting with the Speakers office on August 3, which goes to his suspicions that the Speaker was somehow involved in a plot to remove him. "I'm Not sure how forth coming the Speakers office is with their appointments, but if they are indeed investigating I am not sure they can investigate themselves and their role in this," he said. "How involved were they? What did they know? When did they know it? "I welcome an investigation into the allegations against me; and into my claim that there is a blackmailing effort that is ongoing and attempting me to resign; if there was any misuse of state resources then there should be consequences; I am confident with full and forthright investigation that I will be fully exonerated and that no state resources were ever used inappropriately. I asked Mr. Graham to assist on his own time and he declined." 

Courser acknowledges the May 20 email he sent was a low point in his life and "inexcusable." It was the product of an immense amount of stress about his personal safety and that of his family combined with a lack of food and sleep. Blackmailer urges Courser to resign or information about his personal indiscretions would be released. "In no way could I ever submit to that sort of pressure and so I simply refused and instead set out to do what I could to expose the person or persons involved," he said.Courser said he did not engage with the blackmailer, who also was contacting Representative Gamrat and other contacts of Courser and Gamrat, including financial supporters.

Conservative And Fellow Tea Party Republican Rep. Gary Glenn To Todd Courser - Resign

Part of the Conservative Freshman group Gary Glenn R-Midland MI 98th district,

joined fellow Representative Tom Leonard yesterday on the call  for Todd Courser to resign.    This is a major development as the same Tea Party movement that elected Glenn also elected Todd Courser R-Lapeer

 "There is no possible reasoning or rationale by which their remaining in office will benefit their families or the conservative cause that so many have worked so long to advance," Glenn said in a statement. "The longer the scandal and ridicule continues, the more damage will be done to both their families and to that cause."

Courser has suggested that his former staffers may have been involved in the blackmail scheme, a charge they have denied. If he had resigned at the time, he "essentially would have been submitting to the establishment of the authority machine," he said Monday, arguing that staying on was "essential for the cause of liberty."

Glenn disputed Courser's rationale for staying in office.

"The behavior to which he's publicly admitted has, by association, damaged and discredited the cause of liberty and of conservative, constitutional, and limited government, and the longer political adversaries are allowed to demonize those principles in the media by association with such tactics, the more damage will be done to conservatives' ability to advance those ideals in Michigan," Glenn said."

Bernie Sanders: Destroy Capitalism? Probably. Dethrone God? Probably Not.

Independent leftist and Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders may be out to destroy capitalism but he has not said anything about dethroning God.    This is a photoshopped tweet, more than likely coming from inter-party fighting.

The Republicans are loving that Bernie is weakening Hillary Clinton, so more than likely this photoshopped meme came from a Hillary Clinton supporter.

State Representative Tom Leonard - Todd Courser Violated The Public Trust - He Must Resign

Tom Leonard

In a no holds barred Facebook post Michigan State Representative Tom Leonard from Michigan's 93rd House District said that Todd Courser violated the public trust, Todd's statements trying to cover up the affair are troubling and sick and that the people of Lapeer as well as Michigan deserve better and that Todd Courser should resign immediately.  Here is what State Representative Tom Leonard posted on his Facebook page:

Last week, the Detroit News revealed disturbing allegations regarding Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. These two individuals have families, including young children. I cannot even begin to imagine what they are experiencing right now. The spouses and children of these legislators need our prayers now more than ever.

Speaker Cotter has ordered a full investigation and I commend him for that and I will review the findings of that investigation thoroughly. That said, the actions of Courser, the words spoken by him in the recordings posted by the Detroit News last week and his statement this morning are not just troubling, but sick.

Coming to Lansing, I knew that my colleagues and I would face many challenges. However, never in a million years did I believe a serving legislator would be heard on a recording, directing his state-paid staffer to cover up an alleged affair with a fake email discussing outlandish claims. Mr. Courser knowingly communicated bold-faced lies in an attempt to mask the truth. He is now trying to make himself the victim. It is an atrocious violation of the public trust and unworthy of the office.

Each serving State House member has been placed in a position of public trust by 90,000 people. It is an honor and great responsibility that none of us should take lightly. I have spent the past three years reaching out to as many of the 90,000 in my district as possible. While there are many diverse opinions, the one consistent theme I hear from most of them is this – the public no longer trusts politicians.

It is clear that over his eight months in office, Todd Courser has violated this trust. As a legislature, we have many serious issues to tackle over the next 17 months for Michigan’s hardworking families. Todd has now become not only a distraction, but a liability to this body as we move forward to solve these problems. If he truly cares about this state and the 90,000 people who entrusted him in this position, he should resign immediately. The citizens of Lapeer County and this great state deserve better.

MEGYN KELLY: I'm More Confident than ever that the Democratic nominee will become president

I'm More Confident than ever that the Democratic nominee will become president.  This was tweeted by Megyn at the start of the Republican Presidential debate on Thursday evening.  

How could she have made this assessment before even hearing the candidates answers during the debate?

Who side is she really working on?

Has Fox News jumped the shark?  Many are leaving Fox for the new conservative station NewsMax.

RED STATE: Donald Trump not the only candidate not invited to the weekend event

Eric Erikson  of Red State seems to have a list of Presidential

Erikson Not a Fan Of Sarah Palin
Or Many Other Conservatives

contenders he'd like to see come 2016.  These were the GOP hopefuls attending the meeting: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

The rest of the presidential candidates were not invited because they did not fit Ericson's personal criteria.

Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, was not invited to attend the meeting. In June, RedState said Carson was "unfit to be president" due to his ties to a controversial supplement company.

Ericson said Donald Trump was disinvited because of what he interpreted Donald Trump's words were to Megyn Kelly

Erickson didn't invite former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum because he was "rude." Ohio Gov. John Kasich was not invited due to his decision to expand Medicaid. Also not invited or opting not to attend were U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

THE FIRST RULE IS WHEN YOU ARE SINKING IN A HOLE, STOP DIGGING - The Continuing Soap Opera Of Todd Courser

Courser in 2008

Not all Tea Partiers, Conservatives and Christians were for Todd Courser.  Many saw through his deceit sooner than others but those others also wised up pretty quick.

Courser was a political newcomer out of Lapeer county and used many people with his slick persona.  He started off small but grew quickly.  Being in the thumb area he quickly sought out those with name recognition to help him quickly learn the political landscape.  One of those persons was long time political strategist Susan Tabar of Port Huron in 2008.   She quickly

Susan Tabar

learned that Todd was not who he said he was and realized his ego when he attempted to take on her friend Phil Pavlov for the Michigan Senate seat in 2010.  Todd thankfully lost that seat to Phil Pavlov who has done a fine job  senator.

In 2012 I was introduced to Todd Courser, as a 9th Congressional District

Senator Phil Pavlov (Center)
Fighting to Protect The Great Lakes
From Canada's Proposed Nuclear Waste Dump

Executive Board Member. Todd was running for his first statewide position as School Board Member.  A few days before the district's annual summer picnic I received a call from Todd's campaign manager asking if I could endorse and introduce Todd to the politicos of Oakland County.  I wasn't ready to support or endorse Todd at that time as I had not done my prudent research.  Todd though made his own rounds at the picnic and procured some high profile endorsements on his own. It was at this time I was made aware of Todd's shenanigans in the Thumb region thanks to Susan Tabar and a few other politicos in Michigan's Thumb region.  Thankfully do to some campaigning against Courser, he lost the School Board Race that year.

Todd Courser - Cindy Gamrat 2015
Is Todd Courser a real life Dorian Gray?
Compare his look from  2008 to 2015

In 2013 after a tough defeat from the 2012 presidential elections.  Many conservatives were calling for the removal of all establishment heads.  Todd Courser's name came up again this time to run for State Party Chairman against current Chairman at the time Bobby Schostak.  Former Reagan aide and Political Strategist Norm Hughes became his campaign advisor.  Many had asked Norm to run but due to personal obligations he was unable to at that time.  It was a nasty campaign with a lot of mud slinging.

Bobby Schostak

 Much of the advice Todd was given was thrown out the window but the venom flowing through many conservatives knowing that we would have another four years of Barack Obama clouded the judgement of many.  The night before the election it appeared Todd may actually have the votes to beat the current Chairman at the time Bobby Schostak.  This is when Susan Tabar, yours truly and several other conservatives did an all out late night and early morning push whipping for Bobby Schostak. Because of the hard work of those involved, Bobby Schostak squeaked out a 89 vote victory over Todd Courser.  

Wes Nakagiri

We knew the battle wasn't over as the running joke now would be what would Todd Courser run for next.  Lt. Governor?  Governor?  Many people forget that he also was toying with the idea of running for Supreme Court Justice.  He did give serious consideration for running for Lt. Governor and did a smear campaign against Lt. Governor Candidate Wes Nakagiri with several e-mail questioning Nakagiri's ability to serve in that capacity.  The incumbent Lt. Governor was Brian Calley who was facing the challenge. 

Jan Peabody

In 2014 he ended up running for State House Representative in the 82nd district and beat Jan Peabody in another nasty race that involved sticker's being put on her lawn signs stating that they were illegal and supposed flyer passed around town stating Todd Courser was a child molester.  Based on recent developments of his false flag e-mail word is leaking out that Todd Courser himself may have left those flyers around town to gain the sympathy vote to beat Jan Peabody. He eventually did beat Peabody but by 300 votes.  This left many questioning where Courser got his poling information from as on of his flyers had him with over a 20 point lead over Peabody.  Was this another Courser false flag?

Norm Hughes

Courser has successfully alienated many of those that had once helped him. After losing the Chairman's race to Bobby Schostak, Todd's campaign advisor Norm Hughes cut all times with him.  Norm discovered through that campaign that Todd Courser was not who he said he was.  Yesterday Norm Hughes posted in his own words what he thought about Todd Courser to clear  the air and to state that he cut ties with Courser a few years ago:

THE FIRST RULE IS WHEN YOU ARE SINKING IN A HOLE, STOP DIGGING.- Former Reagan Aide and Political Strategist

It was extremely hard to listen to this to the end. Last week MIRS, Gongyer and others asked me a number of questions on this. As you may know, I owe Todd nothing. He has been extremely ungrateful, disrespectful and dishonest with me. I essentially wrote him off two years ago. But I did tell the media he could still vote for his constituents, the first job of a rep. I declined to heap ashes or add to the story, although I certainly could have.

At the least he exposes other key failures, like poor selection of consultants, staff, failure to supervise and direct staff effectively, failure to see that constituent matters were handled timely and appropriately. And, he diminishes even his wife, claiming problems, that she has known it for months, that they are working through this.

Todd is an imposter. He has an huge ego problem and messianic complex. He told me the only reason I helped him was the Spirit forced me to because he was the chosen one. He does not practice what he preaches.

I am confident there is more. In the 8 minute segment the News posted there is much speculation on what else they might find - "you mean, how far back?" or something to that effect.

I was willing to live and let live. I believe in redemption and second chances. But this is way too far. The conservative movement loses two seats over their moral, personal and political weaknesses. It is a blemish on all of us as well as the Lord. It gives the heathen another chance to posit Christians are phony and hypocritical.
I know many of you have been friends of Todd's, praying for and with him, riding his roller-coaster of plots and schemes - as I did for a couple years. You should see now, at least, his incompetence, lack of judgment, unfaithfulness and disrespect for his Lord, wife, family, friends, helpers, the movement, co-workers, authority, YOU, etc. I encourage you to pray for him but put distance. Do not let it take you down by association. Now, lets find some true conservatives to run in the 80th and 82nd.

We agree with Norn, it is time for Todd to step down.  He has let his constituents down with his behavior and lack of respect, calling them "The Herd" meaning sheeple.  He has disrespected the office, Christians that he portrayed himself to be a self-righteous leader of, his family, and the family of Cindy Gamrat with is illicit behavior.  He has also embarrassed all in the state of Michigan as his story has become one of the top trending stories on facebook and his story has gone international.   Michigan is suffering because of his selfish actions. 

***Correction & Update *****Ron, I was never Todd's "campaign manager." I did advise him, not that it was listened to or implemented. I would appreciate it if you would use a different word. In 2012 we sought a home school parent with some political experience and conservative leanings to run for State Board of Education. As other candidates declined, Todd decided to run. He ran as a conservative and had some electoral experience, however not as a victor. UpRight Michigan PAC, which I Chair, did a significant amount of work and spent some money to get him nominated, whipped the convention for him and others, winning our entire slate, then circulated about a million poll cards for him and our other nominees - and against Proposals 2, 3 & 4 in the 2012 general election. As for the 2013 Chair race, he pre-empted our candidate selection by declaring himself.