DETROIT — A federal jury awarded nearly $60 million to a man wrongfully charged with sexual abuse after finding that a former Michigan prosecutor and a police officer acted with malice in pursuing the case. The jury’s decision underscores the challenges of holding public officials accountable in the legal system, where such lawsuits are uncommon due to significant protections for prosecutors.
The jury concluded that Brian Kolodziej, a former assistant attorney general, and state police Lt. David Busacca acted with “intentional, deliberate, or reckless disregard for the truth” in their actions against Sean MacMaster. The substantial award comprised $33 million for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to MacMaster’s reputation, alongside $25 million in punitive damages.
MacMaster’s attorney, Josh Blanchard, expressed relief and vindication, stating, “The truth has come out, and the jury recognized the suffering he endured at the hands of those in power.”
Kolodziej’s career unravelled in 2019 after revelations of an inappropriate relationship with a woman involved in a sexual assault case he was overseeing. Subsequently, he pleaded no contest to willful neglect of duty and surrendered his law license. His actions included altering legal documents, prompting then-Attorney General Dana Nessel to voice her horror and disgust at his conduct.
The charges against MacMaster emerged amidst a challenging child custody dispute involving his former wife. His legal team argued that Kolodziej appeared to be pursuing these charges to impress a woman connected to that dispute. Despite being a respected police officer in Florida, MacMaster found himself facing serious accusations in Michigan, which authorities in Oakland County previously determined lacked merit.
For several months, MacMaster languished in solitary confinement until the attorney general dropped the case, citing severe prosecutorial misconduct. This protracted ordeal took an emotional toll on MacMaster, who characterized the experience as devastating, leading to estrangement from his daughter and the loss of valued friendships.
Outside the courtroom following the verdict, an emotional MacMaster shared the news with friends over the phone. He reflected on how the charges unjustly disrupted his life, stating, “The amount of money and destruction it’s caused my family — it’s been devastating. I no longer have a relationship with my daughter because of it.”
Kolodziej, defending himself in the trial, claimed the charges against MacMaster were valid and asserted that his previous scandals had no bearing on the facts of the case. Busacca’s attorney contended that his actions were under supervision and that he was merely fulfilling his duties as a trooper during the events in question.
The outcome of this trial not only provides MacMaster with a sense of justice but also raises broader questions about the accountability of public officials and the extent to which individuals can seek justice in the face of misconduct by those in power.
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