Former Rogers City Official Alex Harimoto Faces Charges for Relationship With Minor
ROGERS CITY, MI — A former city employee is facing serious charges after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor. Alex Harimoto, 25, who served as Executive Director for the Rogers City Main Street Program and the Downtown Development Authority, was arraigned on June 30 on six felony charges, including:
Three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC)
Three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC)
The offenses reportedly took place on March 5, 2024, while Harimoto was employed by the city. He had been hired on May 31, 2022, and resigned on March 18, 2024.
Rogers City Mayor Scott McLennan confirmed that the city conducted a thorough background check prior to Harimoto’s hiring, which revealed no issues.
“His record was completely clean,” McLennan said. “He is a young man that made a bad choice in life if this is all true.”
Harimoto is being represented by Attorney Jesse Williams, and a pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the 89th District Court in Rogers City.
Due to a conflict of interest, Presque Isle County Prosecutor Zakary McLennan, son of the mayor, has recused himself from the case. It remains unclear who will take over prosecution duties.
