I find it deeply troubling that anyone would attempt to use allegations involving the abuse of young girls as a political weapon. These matters demand seriousness, care, and integrity, not anonymous attacks timed for political advantage. Republican delegates deserve better than misinformation built on the suffering of victims.

I have always been open and transparent about my work as a prosecutor. It is disappointing that anonymous individuals have chosen to circulate misleading claims rather than raise concerns directly or address them in a public, accountable forum.

As Republican delegates prepare for county and state conventions, you deserve facts, not distortions.

Several assertions in the anonymous email now circulating are demonstrably false.

Most notably, the ESPN article cited does not mention me, nor does it quote me praising Attorney General Dana Nessel. That claim is simply untrue. Misrepresenting published reporting to create a narrative is not advocacy; it is misinformation.

I also want to be clear about my role in the Geddert matter. I do not speculate publicly about charging decisions made more than a decade ago without reviewing the complete file, and responsible prosecutors should not.

When allegations resurfaced in 2018, my office had the case for approximately three months. Some of the victims were also victims in the Larry Nassar case, and the Attorney General’s Office had already built established relationships and trust with them. The attorneys involved at the Attorney General’s Office were the same attorneys who handled the Nassar prosecution during Attorney General Bill Schuette’s administration.

For those reasons, I made the decision to allow the Attorney General’s Office to handle the case. This was done to protect victims, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ensure continuity by attorneys already familiar with the individuals involved.

It is also important to understand that county prosecutor offices do not conduct independent investigations. We evaluate cases based on evidence gathered by law enforcement. The Attorney General’s Office, by contrast, has investigators in-house and broader resources, which further supported the decision to defer.

Once the Attorney General’s Office assumed responsibility, all investigative and charging decisions were theirs. After charges were announced in 2021, John Geddert died by suicide before the case could be resolved in court. There was never a trial and never a legal determination of guilt or innocence.

Questions have also been raised about a 2013 complaint involving John Geddert. At that time, my office reviewed the police report and concluded there was sufficient evidence to support a charge related to inappropriate physical conduct. The matter was resolved through a lawful disposition that included counseling and a written apology to the gymnast. There were no additional complainants or corroborating evidence available at that time. Prosecutors must make decisions based on the evidence before them, not on information that emerges years later.

Cases involving historical abuse allegations demand experienced prosecutors who understand evidentiary standards, ethical obligations, and the limits of the law. Oversimplifying these cases or misrepresenting the public record does not help victims and reflects a lack of understanding of how prosecution actually works.

Finally, I believe Republican voters deserve open discussion and accountability. Anonymous attacks released on the eve of conventions, while refusing to raise these claims publicly or participate in debates, are not how serious candidates conduct themselves. I have been willing to address my record directly and will continue to do so.

I stand by my work, my judgment, and my commitment to the rule of law.

Sincerely,

Doug Lloyd

Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney

Candidate for Michigan Attorney General

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