Michigan Judge Removed Following Shocking Leaked Recording

A Michigan judge loses her position after a leaked audio recording reveals her offensive remarks, sparking a major controversy.

At a Glance

Judge Kathleen Ryan is accused of making racist and derogatory comments.
Recordings reveal her using racist, vulgar, and homophobic language.
Edward Hutton, who recorded the statements, cites harassment and aims to protect court attendees.
Judge Ryan has been removed from her docket due to professional misconduct allegations.

Judge Kathleen Ryan’s Dismissal

Michigan’s legal circles were recently rocked when probate judge Kathleen Ryan was dismissed after leaked audio revealed her making exceedingly racist comments, including self-identifying as “a new racist.” Ryan, who was recorded by Oakland County Probate Court Administrator Edward Hutton, has sparked widespread backlash and her removal has raised pivotal questions about the integrity of the judiciary.

The recordings, accumulated over the years by Hutton, show Ryan using deeply offensive language. In one particular instance, she declared, “I can honestly say that ok I’m not systemically racist – I’m a new racist. I never was. But now I am because you’re shoving this s*** down my throat making allegations that you don’t know s*** about. You’re telling me who I am and you’ve never even f***ing met me. F*** you!”

Michigan judge Kathleen Ryan removed from the bench after racist remarks caught on audio recordings. https://t.co/HMeTB3pA1D pic.twitter.com/3wCKMTjEsc

— Atlanta Black Star (@ATLBlackStar) September 9, 2024

Claims of Harassment and Misconduct

Edward Hutton, who recorded these statements, explained his actions by describing a workplace environment fraught with harassment. He noted that his goal in recording Ryan’s statements was to protect individuals facing her in court. “I just want to make it right … I want to keep my job and do it in peace,” Hutton told WXYZ-TV. “And I want the people in Oakland county that come to court to get a fair shake, to have their day in court, to have an unbiased trier of fact.”

Ryan has been removed from her docket by Chief Probate Judge Linda Hallmark following these and other troubling allegations. Audio evidence also exposed Judge Ryan making vulgar and homophobic remarks, further intensifying the outcry. According to Hutton, these comments extended into inappropriate discussions about her personal life, notably during work and after hours.

A Michigan judge has been removed from her docket after she was allegedly caught making racist and homophobic statements in audio recordings.https://t.co/fjM8lDb4TH

— Black Information Network (@blackinfonet) September 9, 2024

Chief Justice and Local Reaction

Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, David Coulter, has condemned Ryan’s conduct and endorsed her removal pending a thorough investigation. “We look forward to vindicating judge Ryan in the appropriate forum,” stated her legal representatives, highlighting their resolve to clear her name.

Oakland County Executive David Coulter voiced his support for the decision to suspend Ryan with pay while the Judicial Tenure Commission reviews the allegations. This body has the power to conduct further investigations to determine a suitable course of action.

Broader Implications

This development has reignited an ongoing conversation about the presence of racial prejudice among judicial figures and the essential need for upholding ethical behavior to maintain the judiciary’s integrity. This story serves as a compelling reminder about the profound responsibility judges hold in safeguarding public trust by executing their roles with impartiality and unwavering justice.