Does a micro-wholesaler network ever actually protect you if a member misrepresents a deal to a seller

Depends entirely on how the network is structured legally. If you are all operating under a shared DBA or a joint venture agreement that names everyone, you can absolutely get pulled into discovery even if you never spoke to that seller.

The question I would want answered first: does this network have a written operating agreement that explicitly limits liability to the member who originated the deal, and has an actual attorney reviewed it?

Nine people shaking hands and splitting assignment fees is not a structure, it is just exposure.