The stage is set for State Representative Larry Inman to go to trial.
He faces federal criminal charges for allegedly trying to sell his vote.
Inman’s attorney tried to get the charges dismissed.
In a motion to the court, he said campaign contributions are free speech, they’re protected by the first amendment, and not subject to federal oversight.
Federal Judge Robert Jonker disagreed.
He said in an order that those concerns can be addressed with a well-informed jury.
A pre-trial conference and trial date aren’t set yet.