Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Misconduct Claim Against Judge Cusick

Judge celebrates court victory.

Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Misconduct Claim Against Judge Cusick

In Detroit, the Michigan Supreme Court has officially wrapped up a misconduct investigation against Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Paul Cusick. The court dismissed the complaint, which marks the end of the inquiry into his actions while serving as an assistant attorney general from 2014 to 2016.

Background of the Complaint

The Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) accused Judge Cusick in November 2022 of serious charges, including withholding evidence from the defense in a marijuana case and “suborning” perjury. The term “suborning” refers to the act of allowing or encouraging someone to lie under oath. This accusation raised significant concerns regarding ethical practices in the legal profession.

Review Process

According to Lynn Helland, the executive director of the JTC, the Supreme Court’s dismissal acted primarily as a formality to close the open case against Cusick. In February, the JTC determined internally that the allegations did not have sufficient merit. A special investigator reviewed the case and found no credible evidence to support the claims against Cusick.

Former Ingham County Judge and Prosecutor Peter Houk, who took on the role of special master for this case, described Cusick’s testimony as “very credible.” Houk criticized the accusations made by the JTC as “incomprehensible” and stated that they lacked credible support.

Response from Judge Cusick’s Legal Team

Attorneys representing Judge Cusick, including Donald Campbell, James Hunter, and Erin Rodenhouse, argued that the misconduct claims were founded on a “false narrative” from the start. They asserted that the disciplinary case was flawed, stating, “Disciplinary Counsel’s case against Cusick failed because it married itself to a gross misunderstanding of the law.” They emphasized that the JTC had not researched the case properly before advancing the misconduct charges.

Other Complaints in the System

Judge Demetria Brue from Detroit’s 36th District Court and Judge Debra Nance from Southfield’s 46th District Court are both facing allegations related to dishonesty during an inquiry about an incident at a bike shop on Mackinac Island. Reports suggest that Judge Brue is accused of lying about being assaulted by the bike shop owner. At the same time, Judge Nance is under scrutiny for allegedly lying while participating in the investigation concerning Judge Brue.

Conclusion

The dismissal of the misconduct claim against Judge Paul Cusick highlights the importance of thorough investigations in the legal field. With the JTC facing other serious allegations regarding different judges, the focus will now shift to how these claims will be handled and resolved. The outcome of these inquiries could further impact public confidence in the legal system and accountability among those who serve it.