Having been elected prosecutor of Ingham County, in 2001, Stuart Dunnings III took over prosecutions of prostitution-related crimes in a bid for harsher penalties. He began impounding the cars of those using prostitutes and charged both prostitutes and their clients with felonies for third offenses.

Now, he has been charged with 14 misdemeanours for allegedly hiring prostitutes and failing to report the crimes. He is also facing a felony charge of pandering for allegedly using his position to coerce the woman seeking his help to have sex with him.

One defense lawyer told the Lansing State Journal he’s reviewing the case of a sex-trafficking client who pleaded guilty last summer to see if it’s worth a legal challenge. Another lawyer said defense attorneys have an obligation to review the cases of clients who have been recently prosecuted for prostitution-related crimes in the county. Sources: Lansing State Journal; Associated Press; Washington Post