Linda Murado, a former employee of the City of Hazel Park, filed a civil complaint on November 7 alleging that City Manager Edward Klobucher sexually harassed her for nearly ten years. Murado says she began working as Klobucher’s executive assistant in 2015 and later served as Special Projects Coordinator.

Allegations of unwanted conduct

According to the complaint, Klobucher repeatedly hugged and kissed Murado, stared at her body, made sexual comments, and referred to her as his “work wife” and a “beautiful Disney princess.” Murado says she repeatedly asked him to stop.

In November 2024, nine years after she was hired, Murado says she pushed Klobucher away during unwanted physical contact and texted him afterward, telling him not to touch her again. The city’s human‑resources coordinator, rather than opening an investigation, allegedly told Murado to “smooth things out.”

Retaliation and resignation

Murado claims Klobucher used his control over her pay and assignments to keep her compliant, giving her unsolicited raises after she mentioned leaving and blocking a transfer to another department in May 2025. The complaint states that the assistant city manager, the city attorney, and the HR coordinator were aware of the conduct but took no action.

She resigned on October 29 2025 after another incident in which Klobucher allegedly stared at her chest. The next day, Murado says the city attorney pressured her to sign a separation agreement without providing a copy. When she returned on October 31, she learned the agreement had already been terminated and that Klobucher had police escort her out after she confronted him.

City’s response and legal claims

After Murado’s attorney revoked the agreement, the City of Hazel Park said it would treat her as having resigned on October 31. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, lost wages and benefits, compensation for emotional and physical harm, attorney fees and other relief. No specific monetary amount is listed in the complaint.

The complaint also alleges that the favorable employment treatment Murado received was contingent on tolerating the unwanted advances, effectively forcing her resignation.

What comes next

The case will proceed through the Michigan courts, where the city will have an opportunity to defend its actions and address the allegations of a failure to investigate and protect an employee from harassment. The outcome could have implications for municipal workplace policies and the handling of harassment complaints in local government.

Original reporting: Warren | FOX 2 Detroit — read the source article.