A CAPITOL OFFENSE

"20/20" Reports on Former Michigan State Representatives Scandal Airing Friday, January 22 at 10 p.m. EST on ABC

The tapes, the texts, the secret affair, and the even more secret plot to cover it up - it is a story of a scandal which would make Olivia Pope gasp. "20/20" reports on the sordid tale of Michigan State Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat, who were caught in a bizarre sex scandal. The two invoked their Christian faith in defending traditional marriage and opposing gay rights. Meanwhile, Courser, a married father of four, and Gamrat, a married mother of three, were engaged in an extramarital affair. Gio Benitez's report airs on "20/20" on FRIDAY, JANUARY 22 (10:01-11:00 p.m. EST) on ABC.

When word of the affair began to get around, Courser hatched a curious scheme to spread the rumor that he was actually involved in reckless, casual gay sex. Courser pressed an aide, who taped the conversation, to leak an email telling state GOP activists that Courser had been "caught behind a Lansing nightclub" with a man. On tape, Courser described the plan as a "controlled burn" that would make it harder to accuse Courser of his real affair. But in another twist, Courser now claims he was actually the victim in the whole affair, being blackmailed by someone sending him anonymous text messages, causing him to panic and come up with his crazy email scheme.

"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and David Muir. David Sloan is senior executive producer.