Michigan civil rights director reprimanded for 'objectifying women'

Paul Egan
Detroit Free Press

LANSING — The Michigan Civil Rights Commission – the agency responsible for protecting residents from discrimination based on characteristics including their gender – has formally reprimanded its director for “objectifying women,” according to a statement released late Thursday.

And a top aide to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a letter to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights that keeping Agustin Arbulu in his present role is "difficult to comprehend."

Agustin Arbulu, an attorney who has been director of the department since 2015, has apologized for an unspecified remark he made to a male commission staffer in May about a woman who attended a commission meeting, spokeswoman Vicki Levengood said Friday.

Agustin Arbulu

The remark about a member of the public prompted an investigation that led to the reprimand announced Thursday after a closed meeting Monday.

“We have determined that while the conduct of which the director was accused did not violate the law, his behavior fell short of the conduct the commission expects of its director,” commission Chairwoman Alma Wheeler Smith said in a news release.

The reprimand will be placed in Arbulu's personnel file and he "shall submit to a training and mentorship program" approved by Smith and completed by year's end, the release said.

"During that training period the Director shall not conduct internal or external training sessions for other public or private entities," the release said.

The release included a statement from Arbulu – whose 2018 salary was $159,800 –apologizing for his conduct.

“Recently, I made comments objectifying women – comments that were unacceptable and regrettable," Arbulu said.

He said he agrees with the commission's finding that his conduct fell short of what is expected of him and, "I take full responsibility."

"I am deeply sorry and will not allow it to happen again," he said. "While I cannot change the past, I intend to use this experience as a learning opportunity, to help me become a better person and a better leader.”

Arbulu told the Free Press Friday the male staffer was offended by his comment and reported it. He said he can't recall his offensive remark, except that it related to "a woman's appearance."

"It was a mistake; I feel terrible," he said, adding that he wants to continue his "important work."

The Michigan Department of Civil Rights, the operational arm of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, is charged with investigating and resolving discrimination complaints and working to prevent discrimination through educational programs that promote voluntary compliance with civil rights laws. The Department also provides information and services to businesses on diversity initiatives and equal employment law.

As a department director, Arbulu sits as a member of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's cabinet, though he is hired by and reports to the commission, not to Whitmer.

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Whitmer's office released the text of a letter that a top Whitmer official sent in response to the commission's handling of the incident.

Corina Andorfer, Whitmer's director of compliance, said in a letter to Dan Levy of the Department of Civil Rights that Whitmer's office is "deeply concerned" about the commission's decision.

"Director Arbulu’s own comments, even if separated from the original complaint, simply fail to live up to the standards to which any department director should aspire, and particularly the director of a civil rights department," the letter said.

"The commission’s decision to retain him in the director position but remove him from a significant portion of the department’s responsibilities while he receives training on a matter that is core to the mission of the department is difficult to comprehend."

Former Gov. Rick Snyder appointed Arbulu to the commission in 2013. Arbulu left the commission in 2015 to become department director.

Andorfer said the department "needs a director who already has the necessary skills to lead the department and to effectively carry out its important mission," and "the people of Michigan deserve no less."

Earlier, Arbulu served as president and CEO of a post-acute care organization, in addition to other management posts with health care and nonprofit organizations.

He was president and founder of the Hispanic Bar of Michigan and the Hispanic Business Alliance, and has served on a number of boards including the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Leadership Detroit and the Lyric Chamber Ensemble, according to a biography posted on the state website.

He is a member of the board of trustees of St. Joseph-Oakland Hospital, which is part of Trinity Health System, the bio says. Arbulu also serves as chair of the Michigan Advisory Committee for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4Read more on Michigan politics and sign up for our elections newsletter.