Ann Arbor DDA member arrested on sexual assault charge

Alan Goldsmith

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 2:51 p.m.

Maybe if you ask and say pretty please with sugar on it, you won't be lied to by everyone involved in covering up this from the public. At the very least someone should be fired for this special treatment of someone with inside political connections. Who made this decision in the Police or Prosecutor Office? And while you're at it, maybe you can revisit the original no bid contract to a member of the DDA the Mayor appointed? Some investigative journalism please! "So we were told yesterday that the arraignment was taking place today. When I went to the Washtenaw County Service Center (location of jail, sheriff's office and 14-A1 District Court) I was informed Nassif was in fact arraigned yesterday in the 15th District Court in downtown Ann Arbor, which is closed today. I was able to confirm with police that Nassif was arraigned yesterday. Right now, I'm waiting to hopefully get a little more information from police."

Nicholas Urfe

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 11:33 p.m.

Moving it was okay. But the press should have been informed, and allowed to be present, to eliminate the appearance of impropriety.

A2comments

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.

Pretty clear that the arraignment was moved to hide it from the press. Please do a story on who ordered what.

clr143

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 3:16 a.m.

Nader Nassif is a stand up guy. He is a good person and a man of honor. I know Nader well, he has worked very hard to get to where he is today. He loves working for the city of Ann Arbor. This is so out of character and I am confident that this is a false claim and he will be vindicated.

hemlock

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 12:32 p.m.

@colorado sun It is good to hear of your respect for Chief John Seto and his force, which I share and have heard many more in agreement. I would still add a serious message of caution about a judgment of what Mr. Nassif being arraigned means. Arraignment and preliminary exams have low levels of burden of proof. There has been a very serious claim made and the likely trial should add more meaning.

Colorado Sun

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:07 a.m.

I am confident the AAPD does not press charges where there insufficient evidence. John Seto and the AAPD have a sterling reputation for honesty and good faith.

David Cahill

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 1:44 a.m.

Deceiving the media is a really bad strategy.

David Cahill

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.

"Erroneous" informantion on an arraignment date had to be deliberate.

Colorado Sun

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:05 a.m.

@David Cahill: There is no proof anyone was deceived. There was information that he was going to arraigned Saturday that may have been erroneous.

ypsicat

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 1:09 a.m.

No update on this story? This is a person who holds people's lives in the balance in our town. I smell a rat.

eyesofjustice

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 11:09 p.m.

Another reason to abolish the DDA.

Tano

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 4:08 a.m.

Would you care to elaborate?

John Counts

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 2:37 p.m.

So we were told yesterday that the arraignment was taking place today. When I went to the Washtenaw County Service Center (location of jail, sheriff's office and 14-A1 District Court) I was informed Nassif was in fact arraigned yesterday in the 15th District Court in downtown Ann Arbor, which is closed today. I was able to confirm with police that Nassif was arraigned yesterday. Right now, I'm waiting to hopefully get a little more information from police.

Brad

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 11:10 p.m.

Still no page 1 updates? Wow.

Basic Bob

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 6:07 p.m.

Arraigned after the reporters left. How convenient.

KateT

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 6:02 p.m.

Sometimes if you work in front of a judge enough, if you end up with your own court case assigned to that judge, the judge may recuse himself or herself to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Since this man does criminal defense work, that would be a question to look into.

Brad

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 3:27 p.m.

Little bit of a press runaround, no? Could it have something to do with proximity to the council primary on Tuesday? Also, which "officials" fed Kyle the bad information yesterday? You should certainly do an update article on page 1, even if the update is that you are getting stonewalled.

Townspeak

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 2:27 a.m.

This case demonstrates the ongoing abuses of power by the police and prosecutor in this county. The practice is to arrest first, then investigate, then charge the person. This practice spits in the face of our supposed presumption of innocence. Nader has been held without charges longer than those he typically represents. They have not arraigned him because they were not ready to. Yet they were ready to arrest him and release his mug shot, likely on the word of one person, whom they do not know, while nader serves the courts and indigent in the city and is well known. I hope nader is vindicated and that he exposes the ongoing abuses of power in this town.

Are you serious?

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 2 p.m.

"The practice is to arrest first, then investigate, then charge the person. This practice spits in the face of our supposed presumption of innocence. Nader has been held without charges longer than those he typically represents." Actually no. A suspect can be arrested if the police have a complaint that they investigate and turn over to the prosecutor. The prosecutor then authorizes a warrant for arrest. The police arrest the suspect who is then arraigned within 48 hours. The police continue to investigate. "Nader has been held without charges longer than those he typically represents." How exactly do you know that? BTW the vast majority of misdemeanor charges involve no jail time nor are the defendants ever in jail. "They have not arraigned him because they were not ready to." And how exactly do you know that? Arraignments are delayed for all kinds or reasons.

Cash

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 12:11 p.m.

And the Political Reporter for this site writes a post under this news article. That should make people wonder about the slant on this one.

Cash

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.

Perhaps the fact that he IS a lawyer, will come back to haunt those who have jumped out in front of their own policies. Politics is rearing it's ugly head here, I fear.

LXIX

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 11:25 p.m.

Nassif was formerly listed as an attorney at Psychlaw.net (a Lorandos site as in Lorandos Joshi That firm specializes in defending those (wrongfully) accused of sexual misconduct. Given this is a high-profile case, in a town with a friendly mayor, public monies, connectivity to the cozy legal establishment. and powerful DDA business leadership; coupled with the curious resume presented above, it would seem like a lot of pressure would now be put on the (alleged) victim to drop the case. If the police aren't cooperating then who is protecting the accuser from the Ann Arbor's finest ?

LXIX

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 8:24 p.m.

While this story will probably be rewritten with updates, Reporter Counts indicated hours prior to comments here that arraignment had already taken place Friday. The fact that Counts was mislead bolsters the notion that due process in this case is being purposely suppressed and possibly corrupted by City/DDA Officials and now maybe even the courts. .The only caveat being that any case detail would immediately expose the identity of the (alleged) victim who may wish to remain anonymous at this time. Newspapers are notorious for acting as the neutral buffer against such vices of corruption by "safe keeping" both sides of a developing story. Under certain agreements the victim may confide in the press as a form of equal security against the larger powers that may be conspiring to "eliminate" the vulnerable threat being posed to their business. Yes, it happens. It should not be allowed to here. More information on the victim helps to prevent that coercion from occurring. Yet the information is still non-existant. Unfortunately, when the stakes of Money and Politics get too high in a corrupted system the vulnerable victim or witnesses become target of coercion and further abuse. True justice in Ann Arbor then suffers - for everyone.. Not good.

ThinkingOne

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.

Do they normally give this information out BEFORE arraignment? That is the time frame we are working in. Perhaps you are comparing what police say/do in other cases after other arraignments compared to what they said/did in the case before arraignment. My guess would be that especially with charges of a sexual nature, they would not say much until after arraignment.

LXIX

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : noon

Look at any News article concerning a sexual assault arrest in this town. The police routinely give a description of the event and/or victim accusation leading up to the arrest. In other stories it says "The police report -The man grabbed a nurse while... -A woman said the attack occurred outside Sourth Quad... -He was arrested after a woman filed charges... -The Psychatrist was arrested for having sex with... Each includes a victim who is then able to defend their side of the "story" if they choose. Instead, this case omits the victim's voice. Because this is such a "high-profile" case the police should substantiate the details to remain above all of the actors involved. They did not. That makes the victim vulnerable and the news a one-sided hearsay only from the actors. A frivolous report that appears here and then disappears over there once they privately "correct" the situation. Also known as corruption. It happens in governance. It should not be allowed to happen in this town. Suppose the victim is a cleaning lady or an office temp - someone unfamiliar with their attackers legal connections. They call police after an attack and an arrest is made and report given. Normal stuff until the accused turns out to be a "high profile" public figure. Immediately the police clam up. That in itself is very suspicious. It leaves the accuser without a public stance and vulnerable to story interpretation by the controlling actors. It appears as though they are being protected over the victim. The police now realize who is involved and a different set of rules must be applied. Corruption. Publically reported "news" is transparent Who What When Why Where How.

nowayjose

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 3:36 a.m.

If the police aren't cooperating, then who presented the case to the prosecutor and put him in jail? Just because they aren't commenting on the arrest doesn't mean they aren't cooperating.

trespass

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.

When I was trying to help a friend who was facing a false charge, this guy was a real jerk. He was late to court and when we tried to motion him over so that we could talk to him before the preliminary hearing, he cussed me out for "making him look bad" in the courtroom. He tried to convince my friend to take a plea deal even though he had done nothing wrong, and when the prosecutor tried to get the witness to say what the police officers said that she had said, she wouldn't do it. The charges were dropped because they had no witness. This guy is running an assembly line and he doesn't care if his client is innocent.

DJBudSonic

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 5:51 a.m.

The plea deal part sounds about par for the course for a public defense.

LXIX

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 8:55 p.m.

Isn't there a victim making the charge?

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:46 p.m.

The contract listed in this AnnArbor.com article, the one awarded after Nader Nassif was appointed to the DDA. Was it awarded through a bid process? Why was a second contract awarded after billing 'errrors' for the first? Did Mr. Nader ever receive any City contracts BEFORE he was a DDA member? Has Mr. Nassif or his family contributed to the campaigns of any current members of the City Council or the Mayor?

Colorado Sun

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 12:06 a.m.

I have been asking the same things myself for the last two years.

a2huron

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.

If a lawyer gets arrested, is it considered job training?

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:25 p.m.

"Nader Nassif was appointed two years ago by Mayor John Hieftje to serve on the Downtown Development Authority board..."

petlover

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:24 p.m.

I have known Nader for several years, and believe he will be vindicated. He is a good attorney and a very nice person.

theTruth

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:10 p.m.

Keith Zeisloft is good at "masking the truth", remember when he forgot to budget in $160.000. in furniture for the new court house. Talk about masking the truth.

nickcarraweigh

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:09 p.m.

It should be mentioned there's no cause-and-effect relationship yet drawn between membership in the DDA, or the Bar Association, and actually facing charges like these. That may well still be the case whatever happened and whoever it happened to, whenever and where.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:07 p.m.

I was down at the county jail for this arraignment today, and officials told me that it ended up being moved at the last minute until tomorrow. I've updated that in the story.

CynicA2

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.

I don't know about the assault charges, but this sure does raise some questions about conflicts of interest and questionable billing practices. This guy has a contract with the city to represent the poor and at the same time sits on the DDA, appointed by the same folks who gave him the legal contract. Is this legal... or just ethically questionable? I would pay money see the Hieftje and cronies in orange jump suits, filling potholes - that would be sooooo cool.

Tano

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 4:04 a.m.

@clownfish Excellent point. The ones who always cry corruption with no evidence whatsoever are the ones are probably merely assuming that everyone in government has the same level of ethics that they do.

clownfish

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 12:19 p.m.

Cynic, if you have evidence of corruption in the City Hall, please, PLEASE bring it to the attention of the court! Or is it that you just don't like the mayor and therefore assume there is corruption? Maybe the Council, having worked with the lawyer, knew him to be competent? Do all of you people work in corrupt environments and therefore assume that is how everybody else does business?

CynicA2

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 5:06 a.m.

@Nicholas - I have actually seen potholes filled, late at night in front of my house, but hardly ever in the daylight. Too much traffic, maybe. You are right, though - it is a rarity to actually SEE anyone filling them. More to the point - I was just hoping that Hieftje and the Hieftjeites would be indicted, tried, and convicted on some sort of corruption charges, so we could be rid of them, once and for all.

Basic Bob

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:55 p.m.

It also seems like a conflict that the city pays the legal fees for the indigent. The problem was with not submitting bills in a timely manner, which caused some budgeting problems. You know how some folks are - they think if they didn't get a bill then it must not have cost anything, then the next month can't figure out why it costs double.

Nicholas Urfe

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:17 p.m.

That's crazy talk! Nobody fills pot holes in this town. Nobody. I'd pay money to see anyone filling potholes. Oh wait - I already do pay that money.

theTruth

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:37 p.m.

Look at Judge Julie Creal Goodridge, and her Sexual Harrassment charges, she would have gotten off with just leaving her job if a reader hadn't brought up the charges against her. The probation officer she "supposedly" sexualoly harrassed has to live with being fired for the rest of his life, and he only got $82,000. 00 for tearing his life apart.. And Keith Zeisloft and Ann Savicas, who knew about it, and were behind firing the victim, are still working for the City. Why did Zeisloft and Savicas not have to publically explain their actions?

theTruth

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:58 p.m.

Yes God Bless Wayne Wade for standing up to them. And there was also the employee who was harrassed so bad by a supervisor (which Keith Zeisloft was aware of the harrassment, and did nothing) that the employee left wark after being harrassed, ended up in Intensive care with possible heartattack and Keith fired employee while employee laid in hospital. Department of labor ruled against Keith Z, but lawsuit lost because of technicality. And then there is the employee who was harrassed by her supervisor, Keith knew about it. Keith got his revenge by firing person on last day was to retire. And the harasser supervisor at the time (employees supervisor) left a sweet job on his own.

Colorado Sun

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 6:11 a.m.

God bless Wayne Wade, he was one of the finest probation officers Ann Arbor's District Court ever had. He deserves every penny he got in his civil suit.

theTruth

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:40 p.m.

Gosh, I wonder which kind of 3 people voted down on this. The truth is just the truth.

justcurious

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:32 p.m.

A recent interview with Mr. Nassif is here. http://www.legalnews.com/washtenaw/1375177/

KateT

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:29 p.m.

@bballcoach, I don't know this man. You are saying that if he is innocent, it is unfortunate that A2.com ran his name and picture. So what you are saying is that unless and until somebody is found or pleads guilty, the public will not know who is accused. Using this logic, we'd never know that OJ Simpson was accused of murdering his wife and another associate. Likewise, we'd never have heard of the Zimmerman trial. There would be no court TV at all (and maybe that is just fine). Anyway it must be a very rough road to be falsely accused (per these juries, anyway!!) and then try to navigate life. Maybe the press should follow your kind of standard, but they don't. I don't think it is fair for the A2.com to be held to a different standard.

Bruce W

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 2:29 p.m.

Well if he is not arraigned on these charges maybe he knows a good lawyer and can sue someone for damaging his reputation.

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 11:17 p.m.

Citizen, Yeah, right. :-(

a2citizen

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:16 p.m.

Cash, then Mr. Nassif gets his reputation back.

KateT

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.

Having served in arraignment court for another county, I know that the threshold to move forward with criminal cases is so low at arraignment. Judges almost never throw out the charges at that stage, but you are right, trespass, that could happen. If it is thrown out at that stage, the evidence would be so weak, and then understandably, it wouldn't be right for the formerly accused to be walking around with that "legacy" over their head.

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.

What happens if the charges are bogus and there's no arraignment Saturday?

trespass

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 8:11 p.m.

It has been AA.com's policy to name the accused only after they have been arraigned. The question is only about whether the publication of his name and picture were premature. The judge might throw out the charges or the witness may retract or deny the complaint.

treetowncartel

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.

It seems like you would put out an RFP for those services and accept bids.

Dog Guy

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:09 p.m.

Public opinion has already convicted Mr. Nassif of being an Ann Arbor DDA member.

Widow Wadman

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:21 p.m.

funny

Ryan J. Stanton

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.

Nader Nassif was appointed two years ago by Mayor John Hieftje to serve on the Downtown Development Authority board. His term started Sept. 6, 2011, and ends Sept. 6, 2014. The City Council has approved two contracts with Nassif's law firm, Model Cities Legal Services Inc., since he was appointed to the DDA board. In June 2012, the City Council approved a $180,000 contract for indigent representation services in Ann Arbor's 15th District Court for fiscal year 2012-13. Nassif's firm provides legal representation to indigent persons charged with misdemeanor offenses that could include jail time. In October 2012, city officials became aware that the law firm often delayed invoices for indigent representation until those cases were closed or until further court action was unlikely. "The unfortunate and unintended result of that practice is a reservoir of unbilled invoices that masked the true annual cost of indigent representation," Court Administrator Keith Zeisloft wrote in a June 2013 memo to the City Council, asking the council to increase the contract to $383,000 — $203,000 more than originally budgeted. The council approved the request in June, along with a new $240,000 contract with Nassif's firm for the fiscal year that started July 1, 2013.

DJBudSonic

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 5:47 a.m.

Ah yes, the council approved the request... Of course they did, what's a few hundred grand of taxpayers money between friends.

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.

Ryan, I have been trying to post this and for some reason they are stopping my posts, so will try again. I"m trying to connect your post to the facts in the article....and I don't get it. Can you tell me what this has to do with this man being charged with sexual assault?

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:36 p.m.

Ryan, this may be information that is pertinent somewhere but not here. It has nothing to do with the crime this man is charged with. It would seem to me to be overkill at this point.

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:27 p.m.

Gee Ryan, sounds like a great topic for some investigative reporting...

Widow Wadman

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:46 p.m.

Is a member of the DDA really a public official? They are not elected by the public. Are they paid using public funds? Are they merely appointed by the mayor as volunteers with some power to direct use of public money?

johnnya2

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.

YES, working for a PUBLIC group such as the DDA would make him a public official. The members of the Supreme Court and governors cabinet are not elected, but I would call them PUBLIC officials. Election does not equate to being elected.

Colorado Sun

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:25 p.m.

See www.a2dda.org for information on the group. The DDA has controversially distributed millions of dollars in public funds toward downtown development. It is an influential public body that only a select few influential political and business leaders usually are appointed to. Leah Gunn, Joan Lowenstein, and the Mayor currently are some of the DDA's members.

Colorado Sun

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.

Amazing. This man is one of the most influential persons of Ann Arbor. His law firm just received an approval for $250,000 in fees from Ann Arbor City Council for indigent defense representation in the 15th District Court in Ann Arbor. His firm's attorneys are Hooper Hathaway, one of the most influential law firms in Ann Arbor. When his attorney fees were up for consideration, CM Christopher Taylor recused himself from deliberations and the vote due to this attorney-client relationship. Mayor Hieftje appointed him to the DDA despite this contractual relationship the City of Ann Arbor had with his firm. I have pointed this out previously as a possible conflict of interest. The Lorandos Joshi law firm he is of counsel of is nationally known for attacking junk science in the courtroom and had Judge Timothy Connors reversed in a well-publicized Michigan Court of Appeals case on this issue. Dr. Lorandos has a PhD in psychology as well as a law degree. Expect this case to get a lot of attention in the media due to Nassif's political ties and minority status. There are likely questions to be raised whether this criminal case is politically motivated.

Martha Cojelona Gratis

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:12 p.m.

No one is invincible.

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:56 p.m.

And not everyone charged with a crime is guilty, either.

matt1027

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.

leave your personal baggage out...you have no info.

bballcoachfballfan

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:01 p.m.

I know Nader personally and have heard some details about this. Don't rush to judgment. He is a good guy and something doesn't smell right with this allegation. If it turns out he is guilty, then shame on him and it would totally shock all of us who know him. However, this doesn't (at all) fit with his personality and if he is innocent in this (as I believe he is), then it is really unfortunate that aa.com decided to run his name and picture.

Colorado Sun

Sun, Aug 4, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.

He is very influential in our community - I have no doubt about that. We know very, very little of the facts the police have. We should not jump to conclusions either way.

Old Salt

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 3:51 p.m.

If this comes to a trial I suggest there be a change of venue.

Albert Howard

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 3:28 p.m.

Public relations nightmare for DDA?

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:13 p.m.

He's not been found guilty of anything.....not even arraigned yet. Hold your horses.

KMHall

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 8:06 p.m.

Surely it is unpleasant and sad for the members of the DDA but this arrest doesn't (or shouldn't) reflect on the organization. No organization can ever know all about their members' personalities, etc.

John of Saline

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 3:06 p.m.

So he knows the process, as a defense attorney.

justcurious

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:45 p.m.

" He is scheduled to be arraigned Friday afternoon." I agree with trespass (above) , the policy has always been no pictures BEFORE arraignment. Why is this different? I'm not defending the guy, in case you think I am, by the way. I know nothing about hime.

Basic Bob

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:06 p.m.

it's not like he will be out in public before arraignment. he should be treated at least as well as a pediatrician.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.

JC - I responded to trespass' comment above in that thread. I have confirmation of his arrest and his status as a public official makes this relevant information to the public.

Nicholas Urfe

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:33 p.m.

"Ann Arbor police have not responded to requests for comment about the case Friday morning." Isn't it abnormal for the AAPD to refuse to release arrest and booking details? It seems we typically get details on the incident.

clownfish

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 12:13 p.m.

Maybe the details are NOT straight yet...sorry

clownfish

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 12:08 p.m.

Maybe the details are straight yet? How about waiting until people know what is going on before we start our armchair speculation, assumption of guilt and assignation of ulterior motives to any group or entity he may have ever been involved in or with?

Brad

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 10:56 p.m.

"For whatever reason, I just haven't got any calls back on this yet this morning." And the "Straight face of the week" writing award goes to ... Kyle Feldscher!

Homeland Conspiracy

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:48 p.m.

Don't The AA police department work for US the people?

Alan Goldsmith

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.

"Nicholas- For whatever reason, I just haven't got any calls back on this yet this morning. Usually, yes, we do get information on these incidents." I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact this guy is a friend of the Mayor's and a DDA member to boot, appointed by the Mayor.

trespass

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.

The AA police department has a history of being very stingy with information when it involves a high profile figure who has been arrested.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:49 p.m.

Nicholas- For whatever reason, I just haven't got any calls back on this yet this morning. Usually, yes, we do get information on these incidents. I will update the story if my call is returned, or with more information from the arraignment this afternoon.

trespass

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:30 p.m.

The AA.com policy has previously been reported that no names would be released until the person was arraigned. Why is this an exception to that policy?

YpsiGirl4Ever

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 5:38 a.m.

On this one, I disagree. Atty. Nassif is NOT a public figure as the DDA is not an elected body. The policy either needs to be followed or not followed at all. Fair is fair.

KMHall

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 10:44 p.m.

Perhaps public figures are encouraged to err on the side of caution. Price of prestige?

Cash

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 9:11 p.m.

Shocked this is being published before/without an arraignment. When you change the policy for one person that's a concern to me. But I'm not a lawyer.

sttc

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.

i'm not one to care too much about protecting a sex offender but i do believe in the principle of "innocent until proven guilty"... how does being a member of the DDA make you a public official? it's not an elected position. it's not a staff position in city or county government. the DDA is a NGO. you just trashed this guy's life and career whether he is guilty or not.

trespass

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.

If being a public figure is an exception to the rule, then doesn't being a starting football player on the UM football team make you a public figure?

Brad

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:56 p.m.

If it isn't applied across the board it isn't a policy in the first place.

justcurious

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:55 p.m.

Not a good enough reason in my opinion.

Craig Lounsbury

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 4:23 p.m.

I realize that public figures generally have a different set of scrutiny rules but in this case I think trespass has a good point. If the policy of waiting till a jailed suspect is arraigned to post their name is a reasonable policy it should apply across the board.

Kyle Feldscher

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.

trespass - I have confirmation of Mr. Nassif's arrest on this charge. Because he is a public official, we believe this is important information for the public to know.

chapmaja

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:53 p.m.

Likely because his position on the DDA makes him a public figure and as such the rules are different for him than for the average Joe.

SemperFi

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.

I hope he knows a good attorney.

DJBudSonic

Sat, Aug 3, 2013 : 5:43 a.m.

Heh- he said 'Bono'

smokeblwr

Fri, Aug 2, 2013 : 2:38 p.m.

Who works Pro Bono.

Ann Arbor DDA member arrested on sexual assault charge

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