LANSING (AP) — A Michigan lawmaker charged with seeking a bribe from a union said investigators got it wrong and he won’t resign.

Republican state Rep. Larry Inman is charged with attempted extortion, soliciting a bribe and lying to the FBI. Prosecutors say messages show him urging a labor union to round up more than $5,000 in campaign contributions from other labor groups last summer to ensure that as many as 12 lawmakers would buck GOP leaders and block the repeal of a wage law covering public construction projects.

“Its not worth losing assignments and staff for $5,000,” Inman texted someone affiliated with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, according to the indictment.

Prosecutors said the union didn’t respond to Inman’s pitch. He ultimately voted to repeal the law against the interests of labor groups.

“Do you think that I would take a bribe? Come on,” Inman said Thursday on a Lansing-based syndicated radio program, “Michigan’s Big Show.”

He was asked why he told the union representative to keep quiet about the text message.

“There are certain things that I have discussions with that are shared. … I feel like my relationship with the carpenters was close and personal,” Inman said.

Republican House Speaker Lee Chatfield has removed Inman from committees and put the House Business Office in charge of his office. He wants Inman to quit, but Inman said he’s not stepping down.

Inman, a retired bank executive with a passion for the life and disappearance of famous aviator Amelia Earhart, said he’s devoted to public service. Before joining the Legislature, he was a county commissioner in Grand Traverse County for 22 years.

“That’s why I’m not married and don’t have children,” he said.

Text message sent to union

by lawmaker

The following is a text message sent to a carpenters union representative by Rep. Larry Inman on June 3, 2018, according to an indictment filed against him in federal court.

The names of Persons A-C were removed by prosecutors.

***

“Hi (Person A), I hear the prevailing wage vote may be on Wenesday. In my opinion, We all need some more help! Carpenters have been good to me, where are the rest of the trades on checks? We only have 12, people to block it. You said all 12 will get $30,000 each to help there campaigns. That did not happen, we will get a ton of pressure on this vote. (Person B and Person C) will go to the longest neck hold on this one. I have heard most got $5,000, not $30,000. Its not worth losing assignments and staff for $5,000, in the end. They will give you the check back. I am not sure you can hold 12 people for the only help of $5,000. My suggestion is you need to get people maxed out, on Tuesday, I will do my best to hold. (Person C) will pull assignments for next term on this vote. You have no idea the pressure on this one for (PersonB’s state) race , to pull this off for the tea party. People will not go down for $5,000, not that we dont appreciate it. Please get with the all the trades by Monday, I would suggest maxing out on all 12, or at least doubling what you have given them on Tuesday, asap, we never had this discussion, Larry”