Macomb Co. investigation finds Lucido acted inappropriately toward female employees, POC

An investigative report from Macomb County has found that Prosecutor Peter Lucido acts offensively toward female employees, has used race as a factor in assigning an attorney, used county employees and resources for personal and campaign activities and more.

Lucido, a Republican, took office in 2021 after winning his race for Macomb County prosecutor and subsequently stepping down from the Legislature. As a state senator, Lucido was also under fire for numerous credible sexual harassment complaints.

In 2020, a Senate Business Office investigation into Lucido found that the GOP official engaged in “inappropriate workplace behavior” that demonstrated “an unfortunate pattern” after three women made their allegations public. A fourth woman later came forward in March 2021.

Lucido has continued to deny the allegations.

The Republican also came under scrutiny in August 2021 for a photo appearing to show his right hand on the buttocks of a woman while posing for a photo at his fundraiser.

A Senate probe found Lucido sexually harassed women. The Republican falsely claims he was exonerated.  

It was first confirmed in March that the Macomb County government had hired a law firm to investigate “complaints alleging unlawful discrimination and/or harassment” from Lucido at his current post as prosecutor.

Lucido received notification of the investigation in February. That notice had also warned him not to retaliate against anyone who could be his accuser.

Through his legal counsel, the report says, Lucido had refused to appear for an investigatory interview during the process.

Lucido did not return a request for comment.

According to the Macomb Daily, the report found that Lucido treats female staffers “less favorably than male employees” and “has made inappropriate statements containing sexual comments and/or sexual innuendo.”

Nine current or former staff described Lucido’s treatment of female employees as “rude,” “curt,” “unprofessional” and “brutal.”

Alleged inappropriate actions and remarks from Lucido include the Republican saying that he would “like some kisses from the ladies” on Valentine’s Day, referring to a female employee as “double D,” getting “uncomfortably close” to a female assistant prosecutor during a meeting, treating female administrative staff “like ‘slaves,’” remarking “something was off” about an interviewee which employees understood to suggest that the candidate was gay, referring to Black people as “those people” and more.

In response to the 2021 backlash about the fundraiser photo with Lucido placing his hand on a woman’s backside, Lucido reportedly responded: “Where was I supposed to put my hand, she has a big ass.”

Lucido also allegedly had used county employees and resources for his personal and campaign benefit, at the county’s expense. That finding could potentially result in complaints made to the Secretary of State, county Ethics Board or Attorney Grievance Commission.

The report recommends that the Republican receive training in gender, sexual orientation and racial bias, while suggesting the county could take legal action to force Lucido to comply with applicable laws and county employment policies.

Deputy County Executive Andrew McKinnon said it has not yet been decided what actions will be taken following the report.