Preceded by Donald Martin | Political party Democratic | |
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Spouse Cynthia Dunnings (m. 1977) Children Courtney Dunnings, Winter Dunnings, Coral Dunnings Siblings Steven Dunnings, Shauna Dunnings, Susan Dunnings Holeman Parents Janet Taylor Dunnings, Stuart J. Dunnings Jr. | ||
Stuart John Dunnings III (born October 29, 1952) is an attorney as served for 19 years as the prosecutor for Ingham County, Michigan, and was the first African-American to be elected to such office in Michigan.
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Career
Prior to seeking elected office, Dunnings got his start at his father's law firm, Dunnings and Frawley, where he was a partner for 16 years. From 1987 to 1996 he was a member of the bar for Michigan's Standing Committee on Character and Fitness, and from 1989 to 1998 served as adjunct Professor of Law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Dunnings was first elected Ingham County Prosecutor in November 1996, beating incumbent Donald Martin. He was most recently reelected for a fifth term in 2012. He had built a reputation of cracking down especially hard on prostitution, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and sex trafficking.
Legal issues
On March 14, 2016, Dunnings was charged with one count of pandering, which is a felony, and 14 misdemeanor counts; ten of engaging a prostitute and four of willful neglect of duty. Following the charges, he was placed on "medical leave" with his duties being taken over by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Lisa McCormick. He has announced his resignation effective July 2, 2016.
In May 2016, Gretchen Whitmer was appointed as interim Ingham County Prosecutor, assuming Dunnings' role until the end of his term, which expires January 1, 2017.
On August 2, 2016, Dunnings pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in office (a five-year felony) and a misdemeanor count of engaging the services of a prostitute, as a part of a plea agreement with the office of Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette. In exchange for a guilty plea, Schuette's office will dismiss a total of 14 charges related to prostitution, including a pandering charge, which carried a maximum of 20 years in prison. Dunnings' law license will be suspended and Schuette said he will move to have it revoked permanently and push for a prison sentence for Dunnings.
Personal life
Dunnings was born to lawyer and activist Stuart John Dunnings, Jr., and Janet Taylor Dunnings. He has two siblings; Shauna, and Steven, who is also a lawyer.
Dunnings married Cynthia Dunnings in 1977. She filed for divorce in March 2016, following the charges made against him.
Dunnings is a Democrat, and supported Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, with his personal website advertising said support.