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Whitmer asks why civil rights chief is still on the job

MDCR

Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants answers regarding a controversy at the state Department of Civil Rights.

That’s after department director Agustin Arbulu was disciplined for misconduct.

The civil rights director is hired by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, not the governor. But Governor Whitmer has asked the commission to explain why department director Agustin Arbulu is still on the job. A review determined Arbulu made offensive remarks about women and about a gay employee.
 

Arbulu’s discipline includes training about appropriate conduct.

In the letter, Whitmer says she has “serious concerns” about Arbulu’s ability to continue to lead the department. She also asked for recordings and transcripts of the commission’s closed-door meeting where the decision was made.