(WXYZ) — State Senator Peter Lucido announced his candidacy for Macomb County Prosecutor Wednesday.
In a press release, Lucido said Macomb County is "calling him back" from Lansing.
"As a life-long resident of Macomb, a small business owner, a successful attorney, and now as an effective state legislator, I have the qualifications to represent the county as Prosecutor," he said.
Prosecutor Eric Smith resigned from the position amid charges in a forfeiture scandal. Last week, he was charged by the Michigan Attorney General with ten felonies, including running a criminal enterprise, embezzlement and tampering with evidence.
His resignation means a new prosecutor would be appointed by a Macomb County panel of elected officials to finish the year of the term. Smith was first elected in 2004.
Lucido said he was "very disappointed" by the news of the alleged serious misconduct.
"In the past few years, our county has been the victim of corruption by the people elected and entrusted to govern," he said. "The recent charges were the final factor in my decision to run for County Prosecutor."
In March, Lucido was ordered to participate in additional training after being accused of sexual harassment. He was also removed from the Michigan Senate Advice and Consent Committee.
"Outside counsel and the Senate Business Office undertook a thorough and exhaustive investigation into allegations made against the senator and found the senator’s conduct to be ‘inappropriate workplace behavior,'" Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said.
