On Saturday, August 17, 2024, the Detroit Free Press reported that Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido had filed a motion requesting that Judge James Maceroni recuse himself from a lawsuit involving Lucido.
The lawsuit in question was filed by Lucido in June against Macomb County’s Corporation Counsel John Schapka and the county’s Board of Ethics. Lucido alleged impropriety regarding a complaint filed against him with the ethics board by former Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer. Brewer had accused Lucido of improper use of county property and resources for political purposes.
In his August 12 motion, Lucido argued that Judge Maceroni should not preside over the case because Maceroni had donated $100 to the campaign of Christina Hines, the Democratic candidate running against Lucido for county prosecutor in the November election. Court documents included a screenshot showing Maceroni’s campaign contribution to Hines on November 15 of last year for a fundraiser.
Lucido’s attorney, Todd Perkins, claimed in the motion that because the subject of the lawsuit stemmed directly from Brewer’s ethics complaint, and Brewer was supporting Hines’ campaign, Maceroni’s financial support of Hines’ campaign created an appearance of bias or lack of impartiality. The motion cited judicial conduct rules about avoiding even the appearance of impropriety.
In response, Corporation Counsel John Schapka, representing himself and the ethics board in the lawsuit, filed a motion requesting the court deny Lucido’s recusal request. Schapka argued that Lucido had failed to meet the high standard of proving the trial judge was biased or prejudiced.
Source: Detroit Free Press
