Sheriff Candidate is Impersonating a Licensed Social Worker: AG and State Licensing Officials Investigating

Updated on May 30, 2024 with comments from Duane Breijak, Executive Dir. at the National Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter, Derrick Jackson and Tanya Hilgendorf, former Executive Dir. at Ozone House when Jackson worked there.

by P.D. Lesko

Politicians lie; they take credit for the work of others, and the smartest ones make carefully fabricated claims that are difficult to fact check. Derrick Jackson, like former U.S. Rep. and serial fabulist George Santos, is not among the latter group. Like Santos, Jackson’s fabrications have been brazen and easily proven untrue. As a result, a licensed social worker in Washtenaw County has filed a complaint with the State of Michigan, AG Dana Nessel and County Prosecutor Eli Savit against him: the complaints allege Derrick Jackson is impersonating a licensed social worker, and has done so by his own admission, since 2005.

The licensed social worker’s complaint, which was shared with the A2Indy on the condition that the complainant remain anonymous, was filed in response to Jackson’s years-long, and often repeated (on and off the campaign trail) fabrication that he is a “Social Worker that became a police officer.”

Michigan restricts the use of titles.

According to State law, the title “social worker” is a “statutorily regulated profession or occupation.” To use the title of “social worker,” state law requires that the individual hold the required license. 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code” states: “in order to use the title ‘Social Worker’ one is required to be licensed by the State of Michigan. Only a licensed bachelor’s social worker shall use the title “licensed bachelor’s social worker”, “social worker”, or “l.b.s.w.”. Only a licensed master’s social worker shall use the title ‘licensed master’s social worker,’ ‘social worker,’ or ‘l.m.s.w.’.

Michigan licensing records show Derrick Lynn Jackson is not a social worker; he has never been licensed as any type of social worker in any county in the State. As a result, state officials indicated that an investigation of the complaint against Jackson has been launched.

Most recently, in response to a question posed on Facebook in response to a campaign ad he is running, Jackson wrote, “Raised in Inkster, starting as a social worker running the Ozone drop-in center….” Jackson graduated from U-M with his MSW in 2000.

State licensure for social workers was begun in 1914. In 2005, Michigan began to require all social workers to complete required supervised training hours and pass a test for licensure in order to use the title “social worker.”

If found to have violated the State’s title protection law, which applies to doctors, dentists, lawyers and social workers, Derrick Jackson faces prosecution, a maximum of six months in jail and a fine. If he is ordered to stop using the title and does not do so, a fine as large as $1,000 per day may be imposed. If he is found to have falsified federal grant applications for funds awarded to the Sheriff’s Dept. by claiming he, as a “social worker,” would oversee the grant, he could be charged with a felony. If an investigation shows that Jackson, at any time treated anyone clinically, or supervised any clinical mental health treatment program, he faces being charged with a felony.

Michigan’s Penal Code MCL – Section 750.217d states, “An individual who is not a health professional licensed or registered under article 15 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838, and who intentionally and falsely represents himself or herself to be a health professional licensed or registered under article 15 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838, and provides a health care treatment, procedure, or service regulated under article 15 of the public health code, 1978 PA 368, MCL 333.16101 to 333.18838, to another individual is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.”

The complainant said additional complaints against Derrick Jackson’s repeated use of a state-regulated professional title to which he has no legal right, were also filed with the Michigan Attorney General, and County Prosecutor Eli Savit. 1978 PA 368 requires those officials to investigate when informed of fraudulent use of a title from a “statutorily regulated profession or occupation.”

Finally, Jackson’s campaign finance forms show he has solicited over $140,000 in donations from members of the public. Claiming to be a “social worker that became a police officer” in the course of soliciting $140,000 in donations from the public is classified as felony fraud. The penalty consists of a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000 or three times the amount in question, whichever is greater.

In an email, Sheriff Jerry Clayton was asked if Derrick Jackson had ever provided mental health treatment or services during his 15 years as an employee. The Sheriff was also asked if he was aware that Jackson had fabricated his professional qualifications while representing the Sheriff’s Dept. as a “social worker” employed as a “police officer” while a speaker-participant on various panel discussions.

The Sheriff did not respond.

In his time as the Dir. of Community Engagement, Jackson has been put in charge of Sheriff’s Dept. re-entry programs for drug users. It’s unclear whether he attempted to or did provide mental health care treatment to any of the individuals in those re-entry programs.

Stephen Lange Ranzini founded a Facebook group called Ann Arbor Politics. It is the second largest local Facebook group where Washtenaw County politics are discussed. Ranzini has been following the race for Sheriff closely. He said, “Derrick Jackson is a serial liar and embellisher who cannot command the respect of the deputies who are his peers because of his fundamental lack of honesty.”

Ranzini also pointed out that since 2009 the Sheriff has failed to solve over 50,000 of the total 90,000 crimes reported, that the recidivism rate in our county is now “triple the statewide average,” and that “Derrick Jackson celebrates this failure as a success.”

A Long History of Impersonating a Social Worker

While State records show Derrick Lynn Jackson has never been licensed as a social worker, video evidence shows that as far back as 2016, Jackson has claimed to be a “social worker who became a police officer.” In a 2016 TedX talk, he can be seen telling the audience,  “I am a social worker who runs a police agency.” When repeating the fabrication in public, videos show Jackson often follows up with the question, “How did that happen?”

The answer is this: it never happened.

Derrick Jackson has never “policed,” as his opponent Alyshia Dyer has repeatedly pointed out. He has never been a licensed social worker, either. However, while participating in events sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers, and on the campaign trail, Jackson has repeatedly identified himself as a “Social Worker” and even Derrick Jackson, LMSW.

Jackson’s Michigan State Police MCOLES records show in 2009, he was hired by Sheriff Jerry Clayton (Jackson has referred to his hiring as a “political appointment”). In 2012, he completed an eight-week police academy course at Schoolcraft Community College that resulted in certification. He never completed a probationary period as a police officer, has never arrested anyone, written a traffic ticket, responded to a crime reported and has never filed a police report.

Jackson’s resume posted to his campaign website shows he participated in events sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers (Michigan Chapter). Licensure is not a requirement to join the association. However, as a NASW (Michigan Chapter) panelist, Jackson identified himself as a social worker, repeatedly.

A Licensed Master’s Social Worker is a mental health professional who has a Master’s degree in social work, a license and therefore, the ability to provide mental health services. State records show Derrick Jackson never completed the 4,000 hours of supervised work, or passed the required test in order to receive a social work license from the State of Michigan.

If Jackson were to ever be found guilty of having treated anyone as a “social worker” while employed by the Sheriff, he could be imprisoned for up to 10 years. If he solicited federal or state grant money that required oversight by a social worker, and he listed himself as that oversight person, his employer could lose access to both state and federal grant funds in the future and be required to repay any grant funds obtained fraudulently.

The newspaper submitted a public records request for all grant applications submitted by Derrick Jackson between 2020-2024.

Derrick Jackson was asked by email: “Do you have any explanation for fabricating your qualifications for almost a decade by publicly stating you are a social worker?

At the April 2024 League of Women Voters Washtenaw County Sheriff Forum, Sheriff candidate Alyshia Dyer repeatedly called out Derrick Jackson for lying. Dyer is the only social worker running in the primary election. She is licensed (Masters Social Worker Limited #6851114613) and in the midst of completing her 4,000 hours of supervised training.

Dyer’s alleged misrepresentation of her length of service with the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Dept. has come under fire, as well. She routinely claims to have 10 years of policing experience. Her Michigan State Police MCOLES records show she was employed by the Sheriff’s Dept. for a total of six years and four months. In addition, at a recent candidate event, she explained her budgeting and supervisory experience by touting the fact she has raised $140,000 for her campaign, and that she “supervises” a campaign team of 10 people. The Sheriff’s budget, including the jail, is well over $90 million annually and the department includes more than 400 employees.

As a panelist at an August 2020 event sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers (Michigan chapter), Jackson identified himself as a social worker. Duane Breijak, LMSW-Macro, is the Executive Dir. of the National Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter. When reached by phone, and asked how Derrick Jackson had participated in the organization’s August 2020 continuing education program identified as a social worker, Breijak said, “We try to double check the license of every speaker. Participants fill out a form that includes biographical data, and it’s possible Derrick Jackson self-identified as a social worker.”

Breijak continued, “I just looked at his campaign page, and he claims to be a social worker all over it. He can’t do that. He doesn’t have a license. I plan to contact his campaign and ask that they correct that.”

In June 2020, Derrick Jackson participated as a panelist in the “Congressional Briefing: Black Lives Matter: Social Work and the Future of Policing” event. In his remarks, Derrick Jackson began: “I’m a social worker who became a police officer.” He went on to claim that he was a “young social worker” at Ozone House. He was not. Records show he was an outreach program manager and an outreach worker.

When Derrick Jackson claims to have a state license in social work, he is not only claiming he paid the fee for a licence.

Robert Sheehan is the executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan. He explains how an individual who earns as MSW degree earns licensure in Michigan.

“After you graduate with your [Master of Social Work (MSW) degree] and have done your field hours, you have six years to get your license. You have to have 4,000 supervision hours — typically, you have to pay for those supervision hours. Then you can take the ASWB licensing exam, which will determine whether or not you can get licensed. It’s a really intensive process.”

At an April 30, 2024 Sheriff’s candidate event at the Arrowwood Hills Cooperative on Ann Arbor’s north side, Jackson began the event by twice claiming he is a “social worker.”

The complaint against Jackson includes video evidence, screen captures from Jackson’s campaign website, LinkedIn page, campaign Facebook page and his official bio. on the Washtenaw County website.

His bio posted to the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s website is also evidence that Jackson has fabricated his professional qualifications and in doing so violated Michigan law. On it he states, “Derrick came on with the Sheriff’s Office in 2009 and many have come to know him as the Social Worker that became a police officer.”

Jackson’s penchant for self-aggrandizement, exaggeration and fabricating achievements has led to him becoming the butt of jokes and the star of mocking memes, much the same way former Republican Legislator and serial fabulist Rep. George Santos became a punchline:

Jackson holds no rank and has never arrested, booked or fingerprinted anyone, by his own admission.

In an Oct. 2023 interview with domestic violence activist Nicole Beverly, who is a licensed social worker (Masters Social Worker 6801086120), Jackson admitted he had no experience as a patrol officer and had never “slapped cuffs,” on anyone. In that same interview, he identified himself as a “social worker.”

Reporting from The Ann Arbor Independent and then MLive that showed Washtenaw County Racial Equity Officer II, Alize Asberry Payne, had abused her county-provided credit card, lied about her education, work history, professional qualifications, achievements, and her background as a con artist who stole money from her roommates while living in California, led to her being put on leave. County insiders have said there is an ongoing investigation into Asberry Payne’s serial fabrications and they do not expect her to return to her job.

County Administrator Greg Dill was asked via email: “Mr. Dill, [is] Derrick Jackson, like Alize Asberry Payne, going to be put on leave and investigated for falsifying his professional qualifications in public, and while representing the County at events, as well as also lying about his professional qualifications in June 2020 at a Congressional Briefing?”

The County Administrator has not yet responded.

Justin Hodge, Chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, was quoted in MLive as sharply criticizing Alize Asberry Payne’s actions. He was asked in an email: “[Commissioner Hodge], as a licensed social worker, do you have any comment on Derrick [Jackson’s] falsification of his credentials?” Hodge had no comment. He is currently running for re-election.

Derrick Jackson was asked if he intends to remain in the Sheriff’s race and the Sheriff was asked if he intends to continue to employ Jackson. Neither man responded to those questions.

Campaign finance forms show former State Rep. Adam Zemke is being paid to “consult” on Jackson’s campaign. Zemke was asked if Jackson intends to stay in the Sheriff’s race. He has not yet replied.

Ken Magee, one of Jackson’s opponents said, “If this is true, Mr. Jackson should be stripped of his title and relieved of his duties at the Sheriff’s office….This needs to be investigated by the Attorney General.”

On May 29, Derrick Jackson posted a response to his campaign Facebook page to the complaint against him, and the questions raised by the complaint: “I can’t make this up. As someone was posting misinformation and questioning if I’ve ever been a social worker, someone was posting a flier about the Ballin Series starting back up. The same Ballin Series I created over 20yrs ago when I was a practicing social worker at Ozone House. The truth isn’t hard to find if you’re really looking for it. Don’t tell no lie about me and I won’t tell truths about you. #IYKYK“

Tanya Hilgendorf was the Executive Director at Ozone House when Derrick Jackson was employed there. She now heads the Humane Society of Huron Valley. When asked about Jackson’s job responsibilities at Ozone House, Hilgendorf said, “As I recall, Derrick did run the Drop-In Center and headed our outreach efforts.” His job was administrative, and did not include providing clinical social work services.

Jackson’s resume shows he left Ozone House in 2005, the same year the State of Michigan required anyone who wished to use the title “social worker,” or who wished to provide mental health treatment to patients, to complete 4,000 hours of supervised work and to pass a test in order to obtain required licensure.