DETROIT, Mich. — A jury has awarded nearly $60 million to Sean MacMaster, who claimed that a former Michigan prosecutor and a police officer infringed on his rights by pursuing unfounded sexual abuse charges. The charges were ultimately dismissed by the state attorney general.
Prosecutors typically enjoy broad immunity, making it uncommon for them to face lawsuits over their official actions. However, the jury found that Brian Kolodziej and state police Lt. David Busacca acted with “intentional, deliberate or reckless disregard for the truth” in the case against MacMaster.
The jury awarded MacMaster $33 million for lost wages, emotional distress, and damage to his reputation, in addition to $25 million in punitive damages for actions taken with “malice or in reckless disregard” of his rights. MacMaster’s attorney, Josh Blanchard, remarked that the jury’s decision validated the suffering his client experienced due to the misconduct of those in positions of authority.
Kolodziej, a former assistant attorney general, saw his career unravel in 2019 after revelations of a romantic relationship with an individual involved in a sexual assault case he was handling. He ultimately pleaded no contest to charges of willful neglect of duty and resigned his law license. A judge also noted that Kolodziej had manipulated important documents related to the case.
Following the scandal, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel expressed her horror and disgust over Kolodziej’s actions. The misconduct in MacMaster’s case echoed this broader concern, as his legal team argued that Kolodziej initiated unfounded charges to gain favor with a woman connected to MacMaster’s ex-wife amid a contentious child custody dispute.
At the time of the charges in Michigan, MacMaster held a significant position as a police officer with Duval County schools in Florida. He denied any wrongdoing following the allegations of child sexual abuse, which had been investigated previously by Oakland County authorities, who found no basis for the charges.
MacMaster spent several months in solitary confinement before Nessel rescinded the charges, citing “serious violations” related to prosecutorial standards. Outside the Detroit federal courtroom, MacMaster was visibly emotional as he shared the jury’s verdict with family and friends over the phone.
He expressed the toll the situation had taken on his family, stating that the ordeal had been devastating. “I no longer have a relationship with my daughter because of it. I’ve lost friends,” he said, reflecting on the impact of the false allegations.
MacMaster viewed the jury’s ruling as a partial restoration of his reputation, clarifying that the verdict acknowledged the absence of probable cause for his arrest. “There were a lot of lies and everything out there,” he added.
Kolodziej chose to represent himself during the trial and commented on his past, finding it uncomfortable to inform the jury of his resignation as a state prosecutor. He maintained that his prior actions did not correlate with the essential facts supporting the case against MacMaster.
Busacca’s counsel argued that he was under supervision during his involvement in the case and was merely fulfilling his duties as a road patrol officer at the time.
This landmark verdict underscores the complexities surrounding prosecutorial authority and accountability, highlighting the profound consequences of legal missteps on individuals’ lives.
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