Former Michigan union lobbyist charged with sexual assault

Byrd had been president of the South Central Michigan AFL-CIO chapter until his resignation in late March when the alleged incident came to light. He also resigned from his position as director of external affairs for the Michigan Laborers’ District Council, of the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA).

Nessel said Byrd is alleged to have forcibly moved the victim’s hand onto his penis at a social gathering in Kalamazoo County in April 2022.

According to a press release, while Byrd and the victim worked in the same field, he held an influential position both in the Capitol and across Michigan that provided what was described as “a significant power imbalance” between he and the victim.

“In the state of Michigan we will hold sexual predators accountable no matter how well-connected they are and irrespective of whatever prominence they enjoy in the dealings of our government,” said Nessel.

The incident also led to accusations by some Republican lawmakers that state Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) had tried to cover up the incident. They held a press conference in May.

Haadsma is chair of the House Labor Committee, where Byrd testified in March on schools collective bargaining legislation, and brokered a meeting between Byrd and the victim in his law office prior to her reporting the incident to police.

However, Haadsma said he was not aware that any physical assault had taken place and that the dispute was purely verbal in nature, which was later confirmed by police during their investigation.

House Republicans want Haadsma to lose chairmanship amid claims he ‘covered up’ sexual assault

“I tried to be helpful and supportive based on the information shared with me at the time,” Haadsma said in May. “When I later learned of the details, I was surprised and concerned for the woman who came forward to report her experience to law enforcement. I shared all I knew of the allegations against Jon Byrd with the police.”

Some Republicans have called for Haadsma to lose his chairmanship.

“It seems clear Rep. Haadsma was working to cover up the deplorable acts of a union lobbyist to keep it out of the public’s view,” Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia) said in May. “Allowing him to continue to lead the House’s Labor Committee after this misguided and coercive action is unacceptable. Representatives have been removed from committees for far less.”

A court date for Byrd has yet to be scheduled.

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