by
Sheriff Raphael Washington
In his first public comments since a former appointee accused him of sexual harassment, Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington has denied the allegations.
He told WXYZ's Ross Jones that they are "absolutely" not true.
Former sheriff’s appointee Regina Parks filed a federal lawsuit in February, alleging she was fired from her job as the department’s community outreach director by Washington after blowing the whistle on his alleged serial harassment.
At the same time, Jones reports that the county has hired two law firms to defend the lawsuit, with each firm approved for up to $35,000 in legal fees. The suit names both Wayne County and Washington as defendants.
Deadline Detroit reported in February that the suit alleged retaliation and sexual misconduct against her and other female employees.
"Between January 2021 and her termination in 2024, Plaintiff was subjected to sexual harassment on a routine basis, in the form of sexual comments, unwanted physical touching, propositions for sexual activity, and being shown pornographic material," Parks alleged in a 21-page federal lawsuit filed by prominent employment discrimination attorney Deborah Gordon.
The suit further alleges that Washington touched or struck Parks on the buttocks several times; rubbed and touched her stomach and thighs over and under her clothing repeatedly; and made lewd and sexual comments about her appearance and body.
