Fraser Mayor Joe Nichols Accused Of Sexual Harassment

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Fraser Mayor Joe Nichols and Councilman Matt Hemelberg are being investigated for sexual harassment against city employees. Fraser City Council met Monday behind closed doors to discuss the investigation.

After closed session ended, city council voted 4-3 to hire a labor attorney to handle the sexual harassment investigation and ordered no retaliatory action be taken by council members against any city employees. Council fielded heated words from the public prior to going into closed session.

“Asked to respond to the allegations, Mayor Nichols said: “On the advice of my attorney, I can’t say anything.” Hemelberg agreed with the mayor.

Documents obtained by The Macomb Daily show the city administration retained Fleury on or before May 17 to investigate the complaints. According to the documents, (City Manager D. Wayne) O’Neal advised both Nichols and Hemelberg of complaints made by some employees regarding “conduct which could constitute sexual harassment” at City Hall.”

For more, go to the Macomb Daily.

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Photo courtesy of the city of Fraser