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Charles Pugh arrested in New York on criminal sexual conduct charges

Pugh facing criminal sexual conduct charges
Posted at 10:02 PM, Jun 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-23 15:09:56-04

Former Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh was arrested Thursday morning in New York, according to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.

Pugh is facing six counts of criminal sexual conduct stemming from a September 2003 incident.

The alleged victim was a teenager at the time. Pugh was an anchor and reporter at Fox 2 Detroit when they met. Reportedly the teen inquired about an internship at the station. 

Charles Pugh's Uncle Phillip spoke with 7 Action News on the matter. "If this happened, Charles knew better. He knew better, he knew better, he knew better! He was not raised this way. Kids are scared. The family is embarrassed," Pugh's uncle said. 

Phillip also said he had spoken with Charles recently and this did not come up.  Phillip says it did not appear Charles knew these charges were coming.  

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Pugh with three counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of third degree criminal sexual conduct. The charges are felonies.

"Despite what the defendant has meant to the city in the past, and the positive work he did here, we cannot and will not turn a blind eye to these alleged facts," said the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. 

According to Michigan Statute, the criminal sexual conduct third degree charge applies if the victim is between 13 and 16 years old.

This marks the second time in three years Pugh has faced allegations from a teenager.

He recently lost a civil case filed by a then-underage boy Pugh was mentoring at Frederick Douglass Academy.

The victim, who was 17 at the time, claimed Pugh sent him dirty text messages. He also says Pugh gave him money in exchange for video of the teen masturbating.

Pugh recently dropped his appeal and has begun paying the quarter million dollar verdict.

Stay with 7 Action News and WXYZ.com for the latest on this breaking news.