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Charles Pugh Won't Face Charges Over Alleged Dirty Texts To Teen

DETROIT (WWJ) - No charges will be filed against former Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old student he mentored.

The chief assistant prosecutor in Oakland County, Paul Walton, told WWJ Newsradio 950 there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Pugh.

Ivan Land, an Oak Park attorney representing the teen's mother, claimed Pugh took the student off campus in a city car and gave him gifts including cash and a mobile phone on which he text messaged the teen.

Madison Heights police said they were asked to investigate Pugh's conduct with the student he met at Detroit Public Schools' Douglass Academy.  According to the  department's review of the messages, "...the suspect offers money and video games to the victim in exchange for a video of the victim. The suspect specifically requested that the victim be naked."

Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper told WXYZ that text messages sent from Pugh to the student — many of them sexually charged — were "disturbing" and "highly inappropriate," but did not rise to the level of a crime.

Pugh hasn't spoken publicly about the allegations, as he's been out of the pubic eye for quite some time.

He was relieved of his duties after he went off the grid without explanation, failing to show up for council meetings.  Pugh asked for a medical leave, but his request was rejected, and state-appointed Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr later eliminated his power and pay.

Pugh eventually reemerged via a resignation letter dropped off to the Detroit City Council in September.

"It's been challenging," Pugh wrote, "but I've found the strength to move on with my life despite a deliberate effort to destroy me with rumors, innuendo, half-truth and B.S. (including a false police report filed against me).

"However, God is still good, and I'm moving on — grateful for every lesson I have learned." 

 

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