A Senate probe found Lucido sexually harassed women. Now he’s running for Macomb County prosecutor.

State Sen. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp.) says he will run for Macomb County prosecutor this fall. This announcement follows a state Senate sexual harassment investigation this month that resulted in Lucido losing his position chairing the Senate Advice and Consent Committee, which oversees key gubernatorial appointments.

Lucido serves on Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force, the Criminal Justice Policy Commission, as well as other law-related commissions. A licensed attorney and real estate agent, he founded a Macomb County-based law firm and Macomb Now Magazine, which showcases the people and businesses of Macomb County.

Before being elected to the State Senate in 2018, Lucido served two terms in the state House of Representatives. In the Senate, he chairs the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee and Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. 

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2020/01/15/i-tried-to-interview-sen-peter-lucido-he-told-me-a-group-of-schoolboys-could-have-a-lot-of-fun-with-me/

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) called for a Senate Business Office investigation, which determined accusations of sexual harassment were deemed “credible” and the incidents in question “more likely than not” occurred.

The first reported incident involved Michigan Advance reporter Allison Donahue, who wrote a first-person story about Lucido telling her in January that a group of teenage boys could “have a lot of fun” with her. Other women came forward and accused Lucido of sexual harassment, including state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak). 

The day after the incident, Lucido publicly apologized for his comments and told the Detroit Free Press that Donahue’s account of the comments was accurate. However, after Donahue’s story gained national attention, Lucido changed his story. Even after the report came out, he falsely said he was vindicated and maintains he hasn’t “sexually harassed anyone.”

“I’m disappointed that Sen. Lucido is choosing to gaslight and lie despite the results from the investigation,” Donahue said in a statement. “The Senate Business Office clearly said that after dozens of interviews and multiple articles of evidence, the results showed that the allegations made by Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Melissa Osborn and myself were credible. Again, I appreciate the work that the Senate Business Office did in the investigation and the decision made by Sen. Shirkey. But, now it’s time for everyone else to put in the work to change the culture. This is the time where we should be choosing to believe women, to right our wrongdoings and make sure that everyone has a comfortable and safe work environment.”

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2020/03/24/nessel-charges-democratic-macomb-co-prosecutor-eric-smith-with-embezzlement/

Lucido announced his intention to run for Macomb County Prosecutor’s office the day after Attorney General Dana Nessel charged current Prosecutor Eric Smith, a fellow Democrat, with embezzlement of county funds, misconduct in office and conducting a criminal enterprise. Three others, including former Macomb County Treasurer and state Rep. Derek Miller (D-Warren), also face charges.

Smith’s term ends in 2020, but he has not resigned, so no special election has been set. 

Smith can be removed as county prosecutor by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or the Macomb County Board of Commissioners — which is chaired by Bob Smith, Eric Smith’s brother.

Lucido’s Senate term ends in 2022.