DOJ Grant Certifications and Separation of Powers Dispute
Macomb County
Summary
Prosecutor Peter Lucido asked the board for up to $60,000 in outside counsel to sue County Executive Mark Hackel for refusing to sign federal grant certifications — blocking millions in grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services. Hackel showed up in person, said he won't sign blindly and wants open dialogue instead of litigation. The committee sent both requests to the full board, where commissioners hope to broker a resolution.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 17, 2026.
Impact analysis
Up to $60,000 in outside counsel costs, plus millions in grant dollars that went unclaimed because certifications weren't signed.
If resolved, victims' services groups like Care House and Turning Point could receive hundreds of thousands in grant funding.
Domestic violence and sexual assault victims lose out on services while the interbranch dispute continues.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Commissioners - Joint Public Services and Records and Public Safety Committees - Sep 17, 2026
Prosecutor Peter Lucido asked the board for up to $60,000 in outside counsel to sue County Executive Mark Hackel for refusing to sign federal grant certifications — blocking millions in grants for domestic violence and sexual assault services. Hackel showed up in person, said he won't sign blindly and wants open dialogue instead of litigation. The committee sent both requests to the full board, where commissioners hope to broker a resolution.
Board of Commissioners - Joint Public Services and Records and Public Safety Committees - Jul 22, 2026
A routine-looking item — DOJ certifications required to apply for grants, including one that would fully fund domestic violence prosecutors — split the committee 8-4. Opponents argued signing certifications belongs to County Executive Hackel, not the board, setting up a separation-of-powers fight at the full board.
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