LANSING (WWJ/AP) - A Michigan lawmaker has been stripped of a committee chairmanship and ordered to undergo training after the state Senate concluded allegations of sexual harassment lodged by several woman, including a legislator, were credible.
Republican Sen. Peter "Pete" Lucido of Shelby Township lost his position leading the Senate Advice and Consent Committee on Thursday.
The Senate opened an investigation in January after a reporter complained that Lucido made a sexist comment to her before a group of high school boys.
A female senator then accused him of sexually harassing her. A woman who works for a trade group made similar allegations.
In a statement Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) said, in a statement: "We place a high priority on ensuring the senate is a safe work environment. We endeavor to foster a culture where senators, staff, and members of the public feel comfortable and secure to interact with one another, free from inappropriate behavior. We have a responsibility to be aware of how our words and actions are received, regardless of intent or interpretation.
"We take accusations of inappropriate behavior in the workplace very seriously. It is my sincere hope that this experience will help serve as motivation for us all to do better and be better in our personal interactions and our public discourse."
Shirkey said the Senate will release a summary of the findings to provide the public with an overview of the scope of the investigation and the effort undertaken to ensure a fair and thorough process. In the coming weeks, the Senate will announce a bipartisan workgroup comprised of senators and staff to review our current policies and offer possible suggestions for improvement.
"Personally, I want to express my sincere appreciation to the individuals who participated in the investigation," Shirkey added. "In the spirit of continuous improvement, their willingness to share their experiences has helped ensure a comprehensive and impartial process from which we will all benefit."
Calls for comment by WWJ to Ludcio were not immediately returned.
