Michigan state Rep. Neil Friske was embroiled in controversy after his arrest on June 20, with claims of assaulting a stripper and brandishing a firearm, but he fervently insists he was set up.

Friske remains defiant in his claims of entrapment and continues his political campaign despite the ongoing investigation and calls for his resignation, as the New York Post reports.

Friske Arrested Amid Allegations

Friske found himself in legal hot water following an incident involving an exotic dancer from the Deja Vu Showgirls Club in Lansing. The police arrested him on June 20, citing allegations that he assaulted the dancer and pursued her while wielding a gun.

The law enforcement requested the prosecutor to consider filing three felony charges against Friske: one count of felony sexual assault, one count of felony assault excluding sexual assault, and one count related to felony weapons charges. Despite this, Friske was released without being formally charged as investigations continue.

Following his arrest, Friske took to the airwaves on the Your Defending Fathers radio show to declare his innocence. During the broadcast, he stated his belief that he was being framed and adamantly denied the allegations against him.

Defiance After Release and Alleged Cyberattack

In his first interview following his release from custody, aired on Monday, Friske expressed his confidence in being exonerated. “I am confident that this investigation will totally exonerate me,” he stated.

The radio show host, Trucker Randy, claimed a cyberattack on his home studio hampered his efforts to discuss Friske’s situation. The attack occurred early Friday morning, coinciding with the show's coverage plans.

Trucker Randy suggested that the cyberattack was directly linked to the controversy surrounding Friske, pointing to the attempts to thwart discussion and scrutiny of the representative's character. Lansing Police have declined to provide public records due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.

On social media, Friske's campaign echoed his claims of innocence and defiance. They highlighted his unwavering exercise of his 2nd Amendment rights and questioned the timing of the arrest in light of recent district polling.

Support From Campaign and Continued Defiance

Friske's campaign also took to Facebook to rally support, stating, “As many of us know, Rep Friske is always exercising his 2nd Amendment right.” They implied that the arrest's timing was suspicious given the political landscape and recent polling activities in the 107th District race.

Friske himself expressed frustration over the situation, declaring, “Just the way the events unfolded, it was very clear to me that something wasn’t right, and I was being framed.” He reiterated his stance that the accusations were part of a larger effort to damage his reputation and political career.

The representative further criticized his opponents, accusing them of unethical tactics. “It’s just so frustrating. It’s just amazing how desperate people are that they go to these kinds of lengths to try to destroy someone,” he said.

Friske also questioned the morality of those he believed were behind the accusations, adding, “I just don’t even understand how someone that wants to claim to be an upright, Christian person can run this kind of a campaign.”

Refusal To Step Down Amid Calls For Resignation

Despite facing significant pressure to step down or suspend his campaign, Friske stood firm in his decision to continue. Addressing his supporters and detractors, he stated, “I know there’s been naysayers out there telling me I should step down, I should suspend my campaign. I am not doing that.”

Friske cited his belief that stepping down was not part of the path he felt divinely inspired to follow and mentioned receiving support from his followers. “That is not what I feel like God wants me to do, that’s not the message I’m getting from my supporters. And I’ve not done anything wrong, so why on Earth would I do that?” he concluded.

As the investigation continues, the public and political onlookers eagerly await developments. Lansing Police maintain that no further information can be disclosed at this time, while Friske's campaign remains vocal about his perceived victimization and asserts his right to bear arms.

Neil Friske’s arrest under suspicion of assault and weapon-related charges has prompted a swirl of controversy and debate. While allegations assert that he assaulted an exotic dancer and brandished a gun, Friske vehemently denies any wrongdoing, claiming the incident is part of an orchestrated effort to frame him and undermine his political career.

Despite the pressures and an enduring investigation, Friske has vowed to continue his campaign and maintain his position, earning mixed reactions from the public and his political peers.