WATCH: Alleged sexual predator featured in new Portage Twp. commercial

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SOUTH BEND, Ind. –The Portage Township Trustee has released a new television commercial touting programs the office offers to those seeking financial assistance. In the commercial, the Trustee features a well known alleged sexual predator who was terminated from a different government position following a federal sexual harassment lawsuit and subsequent settlement.

The commercial features current Portage Township Trustee (who is also the former St. Joseph County Democrat Party Chair) Jason Critchlow along with a man by the name of Muhammad Shabazz. Shabazz admitted to sexually harassing a subordinate while he was employed as the Democrat Board Member in the St. Joseph County Voter Registration Office in 2020.

The video features Shabazz multiple times, along with Critchlow and failed Democrat County Clerk candidate Lana Cleary. Cleary has since been hired as the Chief Deputy Trustee in the office.

SHABAZZ SEXUAL HARASSMENT CASE

While working as the Democrat Board Member in the St. Joseph County Voter Registration Office, Shabazz admitted to sexually harassing a Republican subordinate in the lead-up to the 2020 election. While Shabazz was “punished” by being forced to work from home for 2-weeks, he was not immediately terminated for his actions. At the time, positions in the office were appointed by the leaders of the two major parties and any changes in the office had to be done at the direction of the party chair. The St. Joseph County Democrat Party Chair ignored calls for Shabazz’s termination for nearly a year-and-a-half. It’s important to note, Shabazz was initially hired into the position by Critchlow while he was the chair of the Democrat Party.

According to the federal lawsuit filed in early 2021, Shabazz was persistent in his advances toward his female Republican colleague. Despite her explaining she was happily married, he continued to harass her. He would ask her to kiss. He would call her with sexual advances. And, continued this behavior even after the alleged victim notified her superiors.

The victim and several others in the office complained about Shabazz’ behavior to the county Human Resources Director, Kim Karkiewicz. Karkiewicz directed Shabazz to work from home, but he returned two weeks later because Karkiewicz “lacked the authority to direct Shabazz’ work performance.” That’s because Shabazz was appointed to his position by the chair of the county’s Democrat party, according to court documents.

Knowing she would have to work with her accused sexual harasser, the alleged victim in this case resigned.

The GOP Chair at the time was Zach Potts, who since passed away in a car accident. At the time, he told RNM his party and office was stonewalled for months by the Democrats and others within the county-city building.

“I learned of the incident on September 22nd (2020).” Potts said. “My two Republican workers have been called racial slurs, sexist slurs, had sexual innuendos made about them and were sexually harassed.”

Potts claimed he immediately contacted the Democrat Chair, the Democrat Vice-Chair and the county’s HR department calling for the immediate removal of Shabazz by the beginning of the following week.

“I heard nothing.” He said. “The county HR person responded quickly and assured me they take matters like this seriously, although we have found that to be false.”

Four days later, Potts said the county attorney contacted him explaining Shabazz was going to work from home until after the 2020 general election and he agreed to apologize.

“This response from the County HR and Attorney to sexual harassment was disturbing. A huge failure on the County’s part. (Not only was he sent to work from home during the busiest and most important weeks leading up to the election) to this day he has not apologized.” Potts said.

Potts said Shabazz also received overtime pay while working from home during what was supposed to be “punishment” for his behavior.

“The Democrat Chair can remove their appointed Board member at any time for any reason, yet has failed to remove him after committing sexual harassment against a female co-worker and female subordinate.” Potts added. “I demand that the Democrat Chair remove their alleged sexual predator Democrat Board member. If he won’t, then he needs to resign.”

“This is an office that the public interacts with on a daily basis and they should not have to worry about becoming a victim when interacting with their local government.” Potts concluded.

The sexual harassment case was eventually settled and the county was forced to pay Shabazz’ alleged victim nearly $100,000. Shabazz was eventually forced to step down from his county position in 2022.

Shabazz currently serves on the Portage Township Board.

Critchlow for his part has been receiving plenty of criticism for how he has been running the Trustee’s Office. A recent RNM investigation uncovered a massive raise given to him and his staff along with an exploding budget in one of the poorest townships in the county.

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