The Charles Pugh scandal heads in a different direction.
A new attorney representing the teen allegedly involved with the former Detroit City Council president is cooling things down after his previous lawyers held inflammatory press conferences and vowed to sue. Pugh was dethroned as council president after vanishing and failing to report to work. His whereabouts is still unknown.
William R. Seiklay, a Farmington Hills attorney, said Monday he has taken over the case for the family and decided to delay any civil or criminal action. The Madison Heights Police Department has agreed to cooperate with Seikaly.
"Both the mother and I have some very serious concerns about the psychological and emotional impact this process is having on the young man," Seikaly said in a statement.
"Together we have come to the conclusion that it is in the best interest to suspend both civil and criminal investigation while he receives treatment to address the impact of what has occurred."
Seiklay said the Madison Heights Police Department "has been understanding" and is holding off on the criminal probe.
In a Monday press release, the Madison Heights Police Department states:
On June 29th, 2013, an 18-year-old male, accompanied by his mother, filed a complaint at the Madison Heights Police Department. The complaint alleges that Charles Pugh had inappropriate contact with the 18-year-old male while in the City of Madison Heights. The incident reported is alleged to have occurred between May 29th, 2013, and May 31st, 2013.
"Investigators have met with Attorney William Seikaly of Seikaly & Stewart Law Office. William Seikaly, as a representative for the victim’s family, requested that our department postpone interviewing the victim of the alleged inappropriate contact. William Seikaly states that the mother of the victim has very serious concerns about the psychological and emotional impact this process is having on her son. We will honor the family’s request in postponing the interview with the victim."
The police department said it hoped to interview the teen later. "Our hope is that, in due time, the victim will be able to comply with our request," its handout says. "As of this time, we will not be forwarding the complaint to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office." The department said it did not receive any other complaints about Pugh.
Seikaly said Monday that "We have reason to believe there are more victims in the community, and adults who are aware of what Mr. Pugh has engaged in. We hope that for the sake of the victims and to prevent further such activities, they will come forward."
Seikaly declined to characterize the nature of the relationship the teen had with Pugh, but called his client as "a victim" and said some Pugh's actions were " very problematic."
Seikaly, whose law firm has handled many school cases involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse and sexual harassment, added:
"I don't view this matter as significantly different from the other cases of this type that I handle."
He said he had no idea where Pugh is staying.
