Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Wayne County Sheriff Denies Posting Lewd Facebook Image, Cites Possible Hack

Conflicting claims about notifying authorities raise fresh questions over his account security.

Overview

  • A sexually explicit photo briefly appeared on Sheriff Raphael Washington's personal Facebook page before it was taken down, and he says he did not post it.
  • His spokeswoman said he contacted the appropriate authorities for a security review, but state and Detroit police said they received no notice.
  • Washington also denied any role in a June 2024 nude video that appeared on his page, a denial he repeated under oath in a deposition.
  • A federal sexual harassment lawsuit by former appointee Regina Parks remains pending in court, and the county is seeking dismissal.
  • A former Wayne County Ethics Board chair said the repeated posts point to a troubling pattern that erodes public trust.