SPJ Detroit rescinds Jack Lessenberry's Lifetime Achievement Award

DeAsia Paige | Detroit Free Press

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Detroit Chapter has rescinded Jack Lessenberry's Lifetime Achievement Award, according to a news release Thursday.

The SPJ Detroit board of directors voted Thursday to annul the 2017 award in the wake of reports of misconduct by Lessenberry.

In May, Deadline Detroit detailed allegations against the former Wayne State University professor and veteran Detroit journalist involving sexual misconduct with former students and colleagues.

The Free Press reported in May that Lessenberry stepped down from his positions at Wayne State and the Metro Times during an investigation regarding the allegations. Lessenberry told the Free Press that he welcomes the investigation, although he claimed that most of the allegations reported by Deadline Detroit were false.

"Nobody has alleged that I slept with them, or propositioned them, or done anything of the kind," Lessenberry said.

SPJ stated that the most troubling findings from the investigation were that Lessenberry's behavior involved student journalists who put their trust in him as a mentor.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor our chapter bestows upon an individual. Lessenberry’s actions were shameful and unprofessional,” Michael Wayland, SPJ Detroit chapter president, said in a statement. “On behalf of the board, our thoughts are with all those who Lessenberry mistreated or put in compromising situations throughout his career.”

According to the news release, SPJ Detroit board members followed the Wayne State investigation closely and decided to wait to for its conclusion before rescinding the award. Lessenberry was informed of the decision on Thursday.

Lessenberry previously worked as a foreign correspondent and executive national editor for the Detroit News. He has had bylines in the New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe and other publications.

Lessenberry was hired in June by Superstation 910 AM to run a two-hour radio show on weekdays.

More:

Wayne State's Jack Lessenberry quits Metro Times, steps away from Wayne State

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