Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Misconduct Claim Against Wayne County Judge

Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Misconduct Claim Against Wayne County Judge

In a significant decision, the Michigan Supreme Court has officially dismissed a misconduct complaint against Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Paul Cusick, effectively concluding the investigation that was initiated against him. This ruling addresses serious allegations made against Cusick that had been under scrutiny since late 2022.

Details of the Allegations

The Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC), which oversees the conduct of judges in Michigan, publicly charged Judge Cusick in November 2022. The allegations claimed that Cusick had withheld evidence from the defense in a marijuana case while he was serving as an assistant attorney general from 2014 to 2016. Additionally, he was accused of “suborning” perjury, which means he was alleged to have encouraged or enabled someone to lie under oath during the trial.

Ending the Investigation

According to Lynn Helland, the JTC Executive Director, the dismissal by the Supreme Court was described as an administrative action aimed at closing the ongoing case. He emphasized that the JTC had decided to dismiss the matter back in February. The accusations against Cusick included claims of violating professional standards for attorneys and exposing the legal profession and court system to reputational harm.

Findings of the Special Investigator

A thorough investigation was conducted, led by former Ingham County Judge and Prosecutor Peter Houk, who was appointed as the special master in this case. In September 2023, Houk reported that there was no credible evidence to support the allegations lodged against Cusick. He described the judge’s testimony throughout the proceedings as “very credible.” Houk further criticized the specific charges put forth by the JTC, labeling them as “incomprehensible” and “simply without credible support.”

Response from Cusick’s Legal Team

In response to the misconduct complaint, Judge Cusick’s attorneys—Donald Campbell, James Hunter, and Erin Rodenhouse—asserted that the accusations were rooted in a misunderstanding of the law and were fundamentally flawed from the beginning. They stated that the disciplinary counsel’s case against Cusick failed because it was based on a “false narrative.” They criticized the JTC for not objectively examining the case before proceeding with the complaint.

Ongoing Complaints Against Other Judges

Despite the dismissal of the charges against Judge Cusick, the JTC is currently dealing with additional complaints involving judges in the Metro Detroit area. Notably, complaints have also been filed against Judge Demetria Brue of Detroit’s 36th District Court and Judge Debra Nance of Southfield’s 46th District Court. Both judges are under investigation for allegedly providing false information during inquiries related to an incident that occurred at a bike shop on Mackinac Island.

In particular, Judge Brue is accused of lying about being assaulted by the bike shop owner, whereas Judge Nance is alleged to have made false statements during the JTC inquiry concerning Brue’s claims.

Conclusion

The dismissal of the misconduct claim against Judge Paul Cusick highlights the complex nature of judicial conduct investigations and underlines the importance of credible evidence in such serious matters. As the JTC continues its work with ongoing complaints, the legal community and the public will be watching closely to see how these cases unfold.