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WDIV's Erika Erickson
WDIV reporter Erika Erickson had concerns about the alleged inappropriate behavior of Wayne County Sheriff Raphael "Ray" Washington when she worked for him as communications director from November 2021 to October 2022, The Detroit News reports.
Information about Erickson is included in a Detroit News story detailing sexual harassment allegations against Washington by different former female employees in depositions and court documents in a lawsuit filed by former sheriff’s office official Regina Parks.
Detroit News reporter Robert Snell reports that an email he obtained, written by Erickson to Michael Turner, the sheriff’s chief of staff, and Undersheriff Mike Jaafar in July 2022, shows Erickson was fired after complaining about Washington’s "sexually harassing behavior."
"I was under the impression that you both felt like it posed a problem, and still does," Erickson wrote in the email. "We’ve talked several times about his comments and how much I wish the best for him, this agency and the people who work for him. I do not want to cause any unnecessary stress to anyone, but I also have to look out for myself and this agency. I feel like I am carrying a burden now, alone."
"I have spoken to you both about this extensively and nothing has been resolved," Erickson added. "I’ve been willing to overlook comments from the sheriff, like calling me Baby and Babe on numerous occasions (and as recently as Saturday) and by asking me to stay in his room in Mackinac with him several times, or asking me to wear certain clothing, etc. ... I understand it’s campaign season and a delicate time, but I did not ask for this. I feel like I am being backed into a corner."
"I’m sincerely asking you both for your help in this matter as soon as possible," wrote Erickson, who was subsequently hired by WDIV in October 2024. She had previously worked at Fox 2.
The story says that Erickson met with Washington while working as the department’s communications director to express concerns about his use of the terms "baby" and "babe" with different people, and about him ogling a woman walking by.
"She even spoke to the fact that I was looking at someone when they were walking down the street," Washington said, according to a deposition cited by The News and reviewed by Deadline Detroit.
"We were doing an interview outside with a news reporter. She said, 'I saw you looking at this lady walking by. I said, Erica, I look at every single person that walks by me outside.' And she said, and I guess it was like an ah-ha moment for her. 'I guess you do, you're the police. Exactly.' So that's not something that I wouldn't do whoever it was. We just had a conversation like that."
Washington said, according to the deposition taken last Sept. 8, that he fired Erickson not long after the meeting because she was publicly intoxicated for the third time, and added that she was arrested for drunk driving.
Erickson’s attorney, Deborah Gordon, declined to comment to The News.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Mara MacDonald, a former WDIV reporter, told The News the accusations in the lawsuit are categorically false, which is why Washington’s lawyers have filed for dismissal of the case.
"Part of being a leader is knowing that people won’t be pleased with every decision, and that hard choices have to be made," she said. "Nobody likes firing or disciplining people, and elected leaders are always going to take heat when that’s required."
