Former Head of Michigan Lawyer Grievance Board Sues Over Firing

The former administrator of the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission says the Michigan Supreme Court illegally fired him for reporting inappropriate emails by his staff members.

The Detroit Free Press says Robert Agacinski filed a whistleblower lawsuit Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court against Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. and the nine-member Attorney Grievance Commission.

Agacinski held the job for 14 years and says he discovered emails in February that violate state civil rights laws. He says he reported the emails to commission chairwoman Barbara Smith, and Young fired him in May.

Supreme Court spokesman John Nevin says all seven justices voted to fire Agacinski but declined further comment.

The Supreme Court said in a May statement that it fired Agacinski “to improve operations” and “speed the resolution of cases.”