Mayor Jim Fouts Declares His Life Has Been A 'Nightmare'

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Warren Mayor Jim Fouts declared on Facebook that his life has spiraled into a "nightmare" following the release of unverified audio recordings attributed to him. Fouts penned a recent Facebook post sharing "Since December 2016, my life has been a nightmare. Ever since County Executive Mark Hackel released phony audio tapes of me...The media has been relentlessly pursuing me since then, shining bright TV lights on my home until late at night, knocking at my door at all hours..."

Fouts has faced a barrage of public criticism since the Dec. 2016 release of offensive audiotapes that critics allege "sounds" like Fouts making a series of racially offensive remarks. A second wave of tapes that allegedly capture Fouts' voice were released this month. Despite the public backlash, the voice has not been confirmed as Fouts' and the person who released the tapes has not identified himself or herself. Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel revealed he released the Dec. 2016 recordings yet denied involvement in the tapes released in Jan. 2017.

A number of Macomb County politicians have called for Fouts' resignation, including U.S. Rep. Sander Levin, State Senator Steve Bieda, State Representative Henry Yanez, State Representative John Chirkun, State Representative Patrick Green, Macomb County Commissioner Andrey Duzyj, Macomb County Commissioner Veronica Klinefelt, and Macomb County Commission Marv Sauger. The Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights also recently urged Fouts to step down.

However, despite the intense scrutiny, Fouts wrote on Facebook of his unwavering commitment to his post and the people of Warren. Fouts declared, "With the help and faith of many including local clergy ( Bishop C.J. Andre of the Tabernacle Christian Church in Warren as an example ), I’m moving forward to work hard for the deserving Warren taxpayer. I will not be deterred from my mission to serve and protect the residents of Warren."

Below please find Fouts' full Facebook post dated Jan. 23:

"Since December 2016, my life has been a nightmare. Ever since County Executive Mark Hackel released phony audio tapes of me, after a total stranger mysteriously dropped them off at his home at 3 A.M., my life has been upside down.

The media has been relentlessly pursuing me since then, shining bright TV lights on my home until late at night, knocking at my door at all hours, including weekends, and incessantly phoning at my home. The reporters are all hoping for an “exclusive interview.”

I even recently encountered death threats on my phone at home and my cell phone. One described how he would like to put a noose around my neck and watch me choking until all the life was out of me. Another suggested that I need to do everyone a favor and commit suicide. Warren police did offer me security and police patrols, but I felt I was a low priority and felt these people only did this after being incited by the repeated airing of the phony tapes on every station.

I still manage to jog when the media is not surrounding myhouse with anticipation of a “gotcha interview.” There are endless questions about when I will resign and how does it feel to be a non-person.

Before this nightmare, I anticipated watching the local TV news; now, I dread it because
the TV stations repeat the phony tapes endlessly.

At the city-sponsored January 16 annual Dr. Martin Luther King Ceremony, the media was obsessed with the latest phony tapes. This media frenzy ruined the solemn ceremony turning it into a media circus. They even trampled over the Detroit Renaissance High School band instruments.

The media does have some responsibility to show restraint and a balanced story, but NOT in my case Their view of me is dark and no room for the good I’ve done, nor any room for the real culprit or my right to privacy, my right to confront my accuser or my presumed innocence. The media in effect has become an electronic lynch mob and not expected to change their minds. It’s a sensational story, so why stop the drumbeat?
What is most hurtful to me is my so-called political “friends” who called for my resignation-a rush to judgment. These “fair weather” friends were more than eager in their elections to use my personal endorsement in their successful campaigns. This confirms that adage of President Harry S. Truman: “If you want a friend in politics, get yourself a dog.”

This public “every politician for himself or herself” desertion has caused me much personal anguish. I have learned that life has its ups-and-downs, but this has been downright disheartening to me, especially after helping those candidates with personal help and endorsements.

Much of this criticism at me has come from outside Warren. Many of those are now lying about me and things I never said. It seems like anyone who had a grievance with me or a perceived grievance are now lying and conjuring up ridiculous stories about me. They are all competing to out-lie the other in order to get media attention. The bigger the lie, the bigger the news story.

The silver lining during this dark experience in my life has been the strong expressions of support I have received from Warren residents. They state that they agree with me that the Hackel tapes are phony and doctored.
I thank these loyal supporters from the bottom of my heart. That confidence in me by Warren residents keeps me working hard on their behalf to continue creating a safe, clean, and well run city.

I sincerely pray that none of you have to experience what I have experienced since December 2016.
I pray that God gives me the strength to withstand the criticism I’m receiving. With the help and faith of many including local clergy ( Bishop C.J. Andre of the Tabernacle Christian Church in Warren as an example ), I’m moving forward to work hard for the deserving Warren taxpayer. I will not be deterred from my mission to serve and protect the residents of Warren."

Photo via Mayor Jim Fouts' Facebook page