‘Enough Is Enough': Macomb Women's Group Calls On Lucido To Resign

By Laina G. Stebbins, the Michigan Advance

A new grassroots organization of Macomb County women is demanding the resignation of their county’s new prosecutor, Republican former state Sen. Peter Lucido, citing a pattern of behavior they say makes him unfit to represent Macomb County families seeking justice.

The Macomb Accountability Project held a virtual press conference Tuesday morning and encouraged others to share their stories by using an online form. The group has started a petition which has, so far, collected more than 1,200 signatures. They urged more Macomb constituents to sign.

“A county prosecutor must be someone you can trust. With a pattern of sexual harassment and support from abusers, we can no longer trust Pete Lucido to stand up for Macomb County families,” said Macomb County resident Emily Mellits.

“Not only does he surround himself with people that are indifferent to the victims of sexual harassment and abuse, but he actually aligns himself with those that commit or defend these shameful acts. This is simply unacceptable,” Mellits added.

Lucido’s office did not immediately return a request for comment.

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The women cited Lucido’s own behavior in the Senate, which culminated in four women accusing the Republican of sexual harassment over the last year. Advance reporter Allison Donahue was the first in January 2020. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Melissa Osborn of the Michigan Credit Union League and Ingham County Judge Lisa McCormick also alleged inappropriate behavior by Lucido.

The Senate Business Office conducted an investigation into the matter and in March 2020 concluded that Lucido engaged in “inappropriate workplace behavior” that “demonstrates an unfortunate pattern of behavior.”

Lucido stepped down from the state Legislature after winning his race for Macomb County Prosecutor in November.

The Macomb Accountability Group members also said there are ethical concerns about Lucido’s donors and associates.

“During his 2020 campaign for county prosecutor, one of Mr. Lucido’s larger fundraisers was held by a notorious criminal defense attorney who specializes in defending people accused of sexual violence, even against children,” said Kristina Lodovisi, a former Army National Guard veteran who previously ran for the state Senate as a Democrat.

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“This attorney, Nicole Blank Becker, raised $17,200 for Lucido, according to campaign finance records, and gave $4,250 herself,” Lodovisi said.

The group criticized Lucido’s ties to Anthony Messina, a Mount Clemens resident who sparked Lucido’s controversial inquiry into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 nursing home policies by filing the first report.

Messina is a convicted pedophile who has served prison time for sexually assaulting young boys between 1996 and 2003. Group member and Warren resident Carmi Finn said the fact that Lucido is willing to make people like Messina the center point of his investigation shows that he turns a blind eye to sexual assault.

“Far from being a ray of hope, Mr. Lucido is a dark cloud of corruption and shame that’s a threat to Macomb County women, children and families,” Finn said. “… Mr. Lucido has deflected and denied his role in his own abusive behavior and happily taken money from those who defend or engage in sex crimes themselves.”

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