Former Genesee County sheriff's lieutenant arraigned on charges he sexually assaulted female deputy
MLive
Jan. 15, 2013
FLINT, MI -- A former Genesee County sheriff's lieutenant made his first court appearance after he was accused of sexually assaulting a female deputy in his office at the sheriff’s department.
Michael Chatterson, 43, of Milford, was arraigned by Flint District Judge Nathaniel Perry III Tuesday, Jan. 15, on one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of stalking following an investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.
Sheriff Robert Pickell said Chatterson, who oversaw the sheriff's paramedic program, sexually assaulted the deputy when he touched her inappropriately in his office.
The sheriff said Chatterson is also accused of sexually harassing five female deputies, including allegedly asking one to watch a sexually explicit video he had made of himself.
"It's just reprehensible conduct," said Pickell. "I'm mad as hell about it."
Perry set a $25,000 personal recognizance bond for Chatterson.
Pickell said Chatterson, along with his attorney Frank Manley, turned himself into authorities earlier Tuesday.
Manley stood beside Chatterson during the arraignment and told Perry that his client looks forward to his day in court.
He was booked into the county jail, where Pickell said he would be treated just like any other violent inmate.
“It’s not a sex crime, it’s a violent crime,” Pickell said of the charges.
Pickell said the assault occurred Nov. 20, when Chatterson called the female deputy into his office at the sheriff's department. Chatterson then allegedly closed the office door and inappropriately touched the deputy while they were both on duty.
Allegations surrounding the lieutenant's conduct surfaced on Dec. 27 and he was suspended without pay within 24 hours, Pickell said.
A criminal investigation into the allegation began Dec. 28. The investigation was conducted by the sheriff's department and included interviews with every female deputy under Chatterson’s authority.
Chatterson was hired as a deputy in 1999 and promoted to sergeant in 2004.
Pickell said he was suspended for 10 days in 2006 for a "sexually deviant act" after he allegedly made a photocopy of a body part and showed it to female deputies in 2004.
Chatterson is due back in court Jan. 22 for a pre-trial hearing.
Genesee sheriff's lieutenant faces criminal sex charges
NBC25 - Mid-Michigan Now
January 15, 2013
***UPDATE (4/26/13 7:30 P.M.)***
A former Genesee County sheriff's lieutenant will be charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The Genesee County prosecutor says Michael Chatterson of Milford performed an alleged sexual assault while at work.
The prosecutor says Chatterson made a move the suspect's attorney calls an "insult to all true rape victims."
***END UPDATE***
Michael Chatterson made a good impression when he joined the Genesee County Sheriff's office in 1999.
By 2004 he was promoted to sergeant. But then the trouble began, say several female deputies.
Nine years ago, a female deputy said Chatterson committed a "deviant sexual act" against her in 2004. Chatterson was suspended for 10 days.
Chatterson's behavior apparently continued, culminating in December 2012 with accusations of sexual harrassment that ended with Chatterson's firing Jan. 4.
In the most recent incident, several female jail employees accused him of distributing photocopies of his genitals and producing a video of himself masturbating that he asked a female employee to watch, Sheriff Robert Pickell said at a press conference Tuesday.
Pickell said he was "mad as hell" and "embarrassed" by Chatterson's actions.
The 14-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, who was a lieutenant at the time of his firing, was charged Tuesday with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and three counts of stalking. The criminal sexual conduct charge carries a potential 15-year prison sentence if convicted.
Bond was set to $25,000 and his next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22.
Chatterson, 43 of Oakland County, was sent home Dec. 27, after a female deputy reported he had sexually harrassed her, although no information was available of which of the various accusations were involved in that incident.
A criminal investigation began the following day and on Jan 4 Chatterson was fired. A warrant for his arrest was issued Jan. 14.
The charges apparently involve female employees at the Genesee County Jail.
The sheriffs office interviewed every female under Chatterson's command. It is believed he harassed five women and sexually assaulted one woman.
He joined the force in 1999 and was promoted to sergeant in 2004. He was accused of a sexually deviant act on a female deputy back in 2004.The sheriff's office was made aware of that incident in 2006. Chatterson was then suspended for 10 days.
Genesee County sheriff's lieutenant had past indiscretions before firing, personnel records show
MLive
Feb. 12, 2013
FLINT, MI -- Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says he didn't originally think a former lieutenant with his department showed a pattern of sexually deviant behavior, but now he isn't so sure.
Michael Chatterson, 43, of Milford, was arraigned Jan. 15 by Flint District Judge Nathaniel Perry III on one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of stalking following an investigation by the sheriff's department.
A review of Chatterson’s personnel record with Genesee County, obtained by MLive-The Flint Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows he received numerous commendations and glowing performance reviews during his time with sheriff’s department.
But the records also detail previous indiscretions that department leaders felt at the time were isolated incidents.
Pickell said Chatterson, who oversaw the sheriff's paramedic program, was fired after he allegedly sexually assaulted a subordinate deputy when he touched her inappropriately in his office.
The sheriff said Chatterson is also accused of sexually harassing five female deputies, including allegedly asking one to watch a sexually explicit video he had made of himself.
"We had no clue that any of this was going on," said Pickell, noting investigators had to question everyone under Chatterson's command to expose his alleged harassment.
Chatterson was hired as a corrections officer in 1999 but quickly rose through the department’s ranks.
“Sgt. Chatterson handles subordinates in a fair and firm manner,” according to a 2005 performance review. “Employees feel comfortable confiding in him.”
He received multiple commendations, including two as recently as November 2012 for his work staffing the county's emergency operations center during the severe flooding the county sustained in May and taking over the extensive emergency medical service command during a fire at Rosehaven senior citizen apartment complex in April.
Chatterson was also recognized for helping to develop a new way EMS service is dispatched in the county, helping develop a new data-management system and preventing an armed robbery at a Flint dry cleaner in 2009 despite not being a certified police officer.
Pickell and Undersheriff Christopher Swanson even spoke on his behalf in September 2012 to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards in an attempt to enroll Chatterson in police academy.
Chatterson had previously sued MCOLES after it refused to allow him to enter the police academy because of a problem with his eye sight.
But Chatterson’s history with the department was not without blemish.
In 2005, Chatterson received a written discipline consultation after he failed to inform a superior officer that he had knowledge that another employee had a serious drinking problem despite informing a supervisor that he smelled alcohol on the on-duty jail employee.
In 2006, he was suspended for 10 days without pay after four incidents were reported involving female deputies, according to the personnel file.
According to the personnel file, Chatterson admitted to showing a female deputy a sexually explicit image of himself on July 1, 2004. He also admitted to making inappropriate comments about the pictures of himself to another female deputy around the same time.
In August 2004, Chatterson admitted to saving a naked photograph of himself on a Yahoo account that was accessed by an off-duty corrections deputy and around April 2005 he admitted to making comments about an on-duty female corrections deputy’s breasts.
In September 2006, Chatterson wrote a letter to then-Capt. Swanson to “defend his character” just prior to being suspended.
“… I am not condoning my actions, she agreed to look at the picture,” Chatterson wrote. “I don’t recall the day in question; however, I do recall offering to show her a photo. She was informed that it was a nude photo and her curiosity made her agree to see it.
“I am not some pervert that forces women to look at pictures of myself.”
He added that the female deputy was “not just some innocent victim” because she, too, made sexual comments.
“… I just let my male ego overstep the bounds of right and wrong on this particular day.”
Chatterson also questioned why the incident was being investigated years later, particularly since the problem was addressed a year prior and he was told the female deputy would not pursue the incident.
He was informed at the time of his suspension that he would be fired if he ever committed a similar offense. He was fired from the sheriff’s department following the most-recent allegations.
"The whole office of sheriff is embarrassed by his conduct," said Pickell.
Attorney Frank J. Manley, who represents Chatterson, said that the lieutenant’s job performance was exemplary.
“The glowing recommendations and good works are not surprising as he was very good at his job,” Manley said. “We’ll address the negatives in court.”
A preliminary examination in the case is scheduled for Feb. 27. Chatterson is currently free on a $25,000 personal recognizance bond.
Deputies file sexual misconduct lawsuit against county, former Genesee County sheriff's lieutenant
MLive
Feb. 25, 2013
FLINT, MI -- A lawsuit filed by four female Genesee County sheriff's deputies claims the county did not do enough to stop alleged sexual misconduct by a former sheriff's lieutenant.
In the lawsuit filed Monday, Feb. 25, by Flint attorney Glen Lenhoff, the four deputies allege that they were the victims of repeated sexual misconduct by former Lt. Michael Chatterson, who is facing criminal charges.
Chatterson, 43, of Milford, was arraigned Jan. 15 by Flint District Judge Nathaniel Perry III on one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of stalking following an investigation by the sheriff’s department.
Chatterson, who oversaw the sheriff's paramedic program, was fired after he allegedly sexually assaulted a subordinate deputy when he touched her inappropriately in his office.
Lenhoff argues in the suit that the county did not do enough to prevent the sexual harassment.
A review of Chatterson’s personnel record with Genesee County, obtained by MLive-Flint Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed that he was suspended for 10 days without pay in 2006 after four incidents were reported involving female deputies.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said previously that his department believed it was an isolated incident. Chatterson, who was a sergeant at the time of the suspension was eventually promoted to lieutenant.
Pickell could not immediately be reached for comment on the lawsuit.
"I don't buy Pickell's statement that it was a shock," said Lenhoff, adding that comments allegedly made by Chatterson seemed to dismiss the severity of the suspension.
Attorney Frank J. Manley, who represents Chatterson in the criminal case, said he looks forward to his client's day in court.
"We stand behind Mr. Chatterson," said Manley. "It's unfortunate he's been attacked so publicly without his side being heard in court."
According to the personnel file, Chatterson admitted to showing a female deputy a sexually explicit image of himself on July 1, 2004. He also admitted to making inappropriate comments about the pictures of himself to another female deputy around the same time.
In August 2004, Chatterson admitted to saving a naked photograph of himself on a Yahoo account that was accessed by an off-duty corrections deputy and around April 2005 he admitted to making comments about an on-duty female corrections deputy’s breasts.
The deputies' lawsuit echoes these allegations.
"This does seem not to have been an isolated event," said Lenhoff.
Genesee County has not yet responded to the lawsuit.
A preliminary exam on the criminal charges is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Women say they were afraid to report alleged sexual misconduct by former Genesee County sheriff lieutenant
MLive
May. 22, 2013
FLINT, MI -- Three women who claim they were victimized by a former Genesee County Sheriff's lieutenant who is accused of sexual assault testified that they were afraid to report the alleged misconduct.
Testimony began Wednesday, May 22, in the preliminary exam of Michael Chatterson.
Chatterson, who oversaw the sheriff's paramedic program, is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of stalking following an investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.
Prosecutors have filed their intention to seek a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, which could carry a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors are also seeking to add five counts of misconduct in office.
Chatterson, 43, of Milford, was fired after he was accused of sexually assaulting a subordinate deputy by grabbing her.
Four female deputies have filed a lawsuit against Chatterson and the sheriff's department. Their attorney, Glen Lenhoff, is claiming the county did not do enough to stop the alleged sexual misconduct. The case is pending in Genesee Circuit Court.
Three of the alleged victims echoed those sentiments when they testified in front of Flint District Judge Nathaniel Perry III.
The first witness, who works as a deputy paramedic, claimed that she was attacked by Chatterson in his office at the sheriff's department after roll call on Nov. 20, 2012.
"He took his right hand and grabbed my crotch area between my legs and pulled me toward him," the woman, who is not being named because she is the victim of an alleged sex crime, testified.
The woman testified that Chatterson regularly made sexual comments to her and, on at least one occasion, asked to have sex with her while on duty.
"There were sexual comments every day," she said.
The woman told prosecutors that she didn't report the attack because she was outranked by Chatterson and feared retribution.
"I'd be the one that was punished, it'd be turned around on me," the woman said.
Chatterson allegedly made the comments regularly during his time at the department -- even in front of department supervisors, the woman testified.
"It was OK," she said. "No one ever said anything about it. No one ever stopped him."
A review of Chatterson's personnel record with Genesee County, obtained by MLive-Flint Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed that he was suspended for 10 days without pay in 2006 after four incidents were reported involving female deputies.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell said previously that his department believed the actions were an isolated incident. Chatterson, who was a sergeant at the time of the suspension, was eventually promoted to lieutenant.
A second deputy said she, too, decided against reporting Chatterson to department leadership after he allegedly made numerous comments about her breasts.
"I was getting scared about coming to work on the weekends because it was just him and I there," the second woman testified.
She told prosecutors that Chatterson also allegedly made threats to transfer her from the radio room to work in the county jail if she didn't accept his sexual remarks.
"He said he was the only reason we're still on radio," the woman testified.
Both women said Chatterson allegedly tried to show them a sexually explicit video he made of himself. The two women testified that they refused to watch it, but a third deputy testified she watched it in an attempt to avoid more harassment from Chatterson.
"I thought he would stop asking me to watch it," the third woman testified. However, she said Chatterson continued to pressure her to watch the video.
Attorney Frank J. Manley, who represents Chatterson, used the exam to question the women on the atmosphere at the sheriff's department and how deputies typically interacted.
The women testified that there is sexual banter back and forth between deputies but denied ever discussing sexual activity with Chatterson.
"It wasn't that kind of a relationship," said the third woman.
Manley also questioned the women on their motivation behind the allegations and their subsequent lawsuit. He portrayed the women's claims as a way to make money from the county -- particularly since some of the incidents happened years before charges were ever filed.
"I want justice," the second woman told Manley. "I want the court to say what was done to me was wrong."
Manley, following the exam, said the testimony in the case will clear his client of any wrongdoing.
"Until today, only one side of the story has been presented," Manley said.
The exam is scheduled to continue June 12.
Genesee County agrees to pay $500,000 to settle sexual misconduct lawsuit involving fired sheriff's lieutenant
MLive
Mar. 19, 2014
FLINT, MI -- Genesee County will pay $500,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by four female sheriff's deputies who claimed the county did not do enough to stop alleged sexual misconduct by a former sheriff's lieutenant.
The settlement, one of the largest payouts in county history, comes after four female deputies claimed they were the victims of repeated sexual misconduct by former Lt. Michael Chatterson, who is currently facing criminal charges over the allegations.
The lawsuit claimed Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell did not take the necessary precautions to protect the deputies from Chatterson, who was accused of similar actions in 2006.
A review of Chatterson's personnel record with Genesee County, obtained by The Flint Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request, showed that he was suspended for 10 days without pay in 2006 after four incidents were reported involving female deputies. He was fired after fresh allegations involving the four deputies in the lawsuit surfaced in late 2012.
Chatterson, who oversaw the sheriff's paramedic program, is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of stalking following an investigation by the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.
Prosecutors have filed their intention to seek a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, which could carry a sentence of up to life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors are also seeking to add five counts of misconduct in office.
Glen Lenhoff, the attorney for the four deputies, said the 2012 allegations would have been avoided if Pickell had required sexual harassment training for Chatterson in 2006.
"This case was based on an inadequate response of Sheriff Pickell to the 2006 incident," said Lenhoff.
Pickell said there was no way he could have predicted the future allegations against Chatterson.
The county denies any wrongdoing as part of the settlement.
County Commission Chairman Jamie Curtis said the county decided to settle the case after consulting with the county's corporation counsel and outside attorneys.
"The sheriff handled the situation professionally," Curtis said. "He cannot act if people don't come to him early."
Three of the deputies who claimed they were victimized by Chatterson testified during a preliminary exam in his criminal case that they were afraid to report the alleged misconduct to their superiors in the sheriff's department.
One of the women, who works as a deputy paramedic, claimed that she was attacked by Chatterson in his office at the sheriff's department after roll call on Nov. 20, 2012.
The Flint Journal is not identifying the women because they are the alleged victims of sex crimes.
The woman testified that Chatterson regularly made sexual comments to her and, on at least one occasion, asked to have sex with her while on duty.
A second deputy said she, too, decided against reporting Chatterson to department leadership after he allegedly made numerous comments about her breasts. She told prosecutors that Chatterson also allegedly made threats to transfer her from the radio room to work in the county jail if she didn't accept his sexual remarks.
Both women said Chatterson allegedly tried to show them a sexually explicit video he made of himself.
The two women testified that they refused to watch it, but a third deputy testified she watched it in an attempt to avoid more harassment from Chatterson.
The settlement includes a stipulation to provide the deputies protection from any potential retribution as a result of the agreement. All of the women still work at the sheriff's department.
One of the women told prosecutors during the preliminary exam that she didn't report the attack because she was outranked by Chatterson and feared retribution.
The settlement agreement will pay the four women differing amounts, ranging from $90,000 to $200,000 each. Lenhoff said the amount each woman will receive is proportional to the severity of their claim against Chatterson.
The county will pay the settlement from its self-insurance fund, according to Celeste Bell, interim corporation counsel for the county.
The largest settlement the county has paid out is $615,000 in 2003 to the family of an accused killer who hanged himself in the Genesee County Jail.
"This is the worst scandal in the history of the Genesee County Sheriff's Department," Lenhoff said, suggesting that the sheriff should reimburse the county the $500,000 from his own pocket or resign from office. "There has got to be a personal consequence for Pickell."
Pickell said he has no plans to resign as a result of the settlement and said he handled the situation properly by investigating the claims and seeking charges against Chatterson.
"How ridiculous," Pickell said of Lenhoff's claims. "I'm not going to resign because I did my job."
Curtis said he believes the sheriff's department handled the situation appropriately.
"The sheriff and undersheriff did a great job explaining how they got to this situation," Curtis said.
Pickell said his office became aware of the allegations, investigated them and had charges issued by Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton's office within a week.
"These girls were victims and I treated them just like victims," Pickell said, noting that he offered the women individualized counseling after the incident.
The settlement the female deputies reached only ends the case against the county. The women still have civil claims outstanding against Chatterson.
Attorney Frank J. Manley, who represents Chatterson in the criminal case, said he has maintained that the accusations against his client are a civil matter and he hopes this settlement could bring a resolution to the criminal case.
Chatterson's attorney in the civil case, Alan Kennedy, could not be reached for comment on the settlement.
