KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A former union leader who has since resigned from that role has now been charged with sexual assault after allegations of inappropriate touching at a political event last year.
The Michigan’s Attorney General’s Office Thursday announced 40-year-old Jonathan Byrd of Battle Creek faces a count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
A woman told police the assault happened at the Park Club in Kalamazoo during an April 2022 event for state Senator Sean McCann of Kalamazoo. She said Byrd propositioned her for sex, touched her without her permission, and placed her hand on his genitals. Police reports show Byrd told police he had flirted with the woman and touched her leg, but said he never placed her hand on his genitals.
At the time, Byrd was a lobbyist for the Michigan Laborers’ District Council, of the Laborers’ International Union of North America, and president of the South Central Michigan Area Labor Council of the AFL-CIO.
He has resigned from his union roles.
