MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP/FOX 17) — A state prosecutor has resigned after the Michigan Attorney General’s Office learned he had a relationship with a woman in a sexual misconduct case.
Brian Kolodziej was handling the case of Ian Elliott, who had pleaded no contest to third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Isabella County. Elliott is a former Central Michigan University student who was accused of sexually assaulting two women.
Attorney General Dana Nessel held a press conference Thursday afternoon to address the issue.
“I asked (the media) to be here because ethics, integrity and transparency in office and in government are incredibly important to me,” Nessel said. “I am committed to being as transparent with you today as I possibly can be under the circumstances.”
Nessel said she was notified of allegations of prosecutorial misconduct against Kolodziej on Thursday and placed him on administrative leave within an hour.
She said he admitted to the relationship with a woman in the sexual misconduct case and resigned instead of being terminated.
Michigan State Police have opened a criminal investigation, which Nessel says her office will fully cooperate with. All the information has also been submitted to the Attorney Grievance Commission through a letter.
Several staff members have already been assigned to take on the cases assigned to Kolodziej.
“Finally, let me say this: This man’s actions do not define our department, but our response will,” Nessel said.
