Sean Harrington, owner of

in downtown Detroit, says he was arrested on false accusations he hit an employee and forced to spend 24-hours behind bars before he was charged with misdemeanor assault.

Harrington

his holding cell was smeared with vomit and diarrhea, comparing it to "a gulag."

Police say Harrington hit and employee after accusing him of stealing. Harrington says video surveillance footage shows otherwise.

Because he was locked up for less than 48 hours, police spokesman John Roach told the Free Press, "I don't see any problem at all with the actions that were taken."'

In 2003, The U.S. Department of Justice and the City of Detroit agreed to two consent decrees related to unlawful conditions of confinement in Detroit Police Department holding cells and unlawful use of force by DPD officers.

The decrees were supposed to expire in 2008 if both sides had met requirements, but Detroit hasn't, and Harrington's said he'll contact the federal monitor overseeing the reforms.

Harrington is due in court today on the misdemeanor assault charge.