Michigan Judge Kathleen Ryan Suspended for Racist and Anti-Gay Remarks

A suburban Detroit judge has been suspended from handling cases after a court worker exposed her derogatory remarks. Oakland County probate judge Kathleen Ryan was removed from her docket on August 27, 2024, due to misconduct involving racist and homophobic comments.

Court Worker Exposes Judge’s Comments

The controversy began when Edward Hutton, the court’s administrator, secretly recorded phone calls in which Judge Ryan made offensive remarks. Hutton’s recordings revealed Ryan using an anti-gay slur against David Coulter, the county’s top elected official, and referring to Black people as lazy.

Hutton, who recorded these calls during both work and after-hours, stated, “I just want to make it right. I want to ensure the people in Oakland County receive a fair trial and have an unbiased judge.”

Ongoing Investigation and Reactions

The recordings were sent to key officials, including Coulter and Elizabeth Clement, the chief justice of Michigan’s Supreme Court. This led to Ryan’s suspension with pay while the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission investigates the matter. Ryan’s legal team, Gerald Gleeson and Thomas Cranmer, has expressed a desire to clear her name in court.

Legal Context and Judge’s Background

In Michigan, it is legal to record conversations if one party consents. Hutton’s decision to expose these recordings was motivated by his commitment to judicial fairness. Judge Ryan, who has been serving since 2010, is part of a family with a history in the judiciary; her father and brother were also judges.

As the investigation unfolds, the community watches closely to see how this case will impact the credibility of the judicial system in Oakland County.