Posted on 08/19/2004 6:14:21 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Former Mich Democratic Party chair Hollowell issued solicitation citation
8/19/2004, 7:37 p.m. ET
The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) — Former Michigan Democratic Party chairman Melvin "Butch" Hollowell has been issued a citation on accusations he solicited a prostitute, according to broadcast reports.
Hollowell, who left his Democratic Party post earlier this month to join John Kerry's national legal team, was pulled over Tuesday night after picking up a woman on Woodward Avenue, not far from his home in Palmer Woods, Detroit station WDIV-TV reported.
An attorney for Hollowell told WDIV that the incident was a misunderstanding and Hollowell has denied any wrongdoing. Messages left by The Associated Press seeking comment from the attorney and Hollowell were not immediately returned Thursday evening.
Wayne County prosecutor's office spokeswoman Maria Miller said Hollowell's car was impounded Tuesday night. He must pay $900 to get it back.
She said any citation would have to be issued by the city of Detroit. A city attorney could not immediately be reached Thursday.
Hollowell is scheduled to appear in 36th District Court in Detroit on Friday, WDIV reported.
Hollowell, 44, is a friend of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who appointed him to the Michigan Civil Rights Commission last week.
Hollowell contacted Granholm's office on Thursday and said he planned to resign the appointment, Granholm spokesman Liz Boyd said.
"We are disappointed by the resignation and were totally taken by surprise," Boyd said.
The civil rights position is unpaid. The commission investigates alleged discrimination against any person because of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, height, weight, arrest record or physical and mental disabilities.
Hollowell's appointment would have been subject to consent of the state Senate, which is controlled by Republicans.
Hollowell, a lawyer who once ran for Michigan Secretary of State, also was recently appointed to Kerry's legal team. The Democratic presidential candidate's campaign had no comment late Thursday.
"We're still collecting information and we have no further comment at this time," said Rodell Mollineau, a Kerry spokesman.
The Michigan Democratic Party did not immediately return a message seeking comment, while Greg McNeilly, executive director of Michigan Republican Party, said the party does not "feel it is a political issue or an issue for public discussion."
"It's obviously a tough time for Mr. Hollowell and his family," McNeilly said. "Our sympathies are with him and his family as he works this out."
Hollowell is married with two children.
To bad for his wife and kids though.
His sympathies are extended to the family and Melvin? Was Melvin a victim? Did he get a bad deal?
I've just figured out why the MSM loves the left: They are always a better source of scandals. There wouldn't be a lot of opportunities for sensationalism with only conservatives in office, so its in their best interests to keep the people that are most likely to screw up in power.
Wow. I'm not sure if that qualifies as paranoia, but it makes some degree of sense.
He was altruistically giving the poor waif a ride to the shelter for abused children.
So here we have to stars from Kerry's campaign - Sandy Berger, busted for slipping his private stuff into his drawers, and Butch Hollowell, busted for trying to slip his private stuff in other's drawers.
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