Complaint Says Michigan Judge Drunkenly Sexually Harassed Women From The Bench
A complaint filed with the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC) accuses a judge drunkenly sexually harassed women. It also accuses him of showing up drunk at the courthouse. In addition, it claims he used his clout as a jurist to influence cases involving himself and his family. The JTC investigates misconduct by judges and decides how to punish them if they cross ethical or professional lines.
Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Wilson faces an undisclosed and numerous allegations of wrong doing. Wilson has practiced law for more than three decades. The JTC is reviewing his behavior while serving on the bench for 18 years. This includes getting lawyers to represent him and his children for free in various legal matters.
Wilson’s lawyer Thomas Cranmer defended his reputation in a statement to the Detroit Free Press:
Wilson has 14 days to file a response to the complaint, though he can ask for an extension.
The 23-Page Report Details The List Of Allegations Against Wilson
The complaint contains the following accusations:
- Judge Wilson abused alcohol for years. He admitted under oath on January 22, “that he would, at times, leave the courthouse, consume alcohol at home, and return to the courthouse.”
- Judge Wilson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol in numerous public places. This included a funeral home parking lot and a courthouse elevator. In addition, he was accused of being drunk at a judges’ meeting and at county election coordinator’s office. On Election Day in 2016 he stated he had been “at the bar next door.” He also invited people in the election office to take a shot of Fireball whiskey with him.
- In May 2019, the Judicial Tenure Commission asked Judge Wilson to get help for his alcoholism. Specifically that he obtain an alcohol assessment by the State Bar of Michigan Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program. But he did not do so.
- Judge Wilson sexually harassed several females he worked with between 2016 and 2018. He allegedly described his sexual activities to a female judge on several occasions, He allegedly told her, “that his sexual partner remarked that no one had made her have as many orgasms as he had.”
- He told a different female judge that he had to have his penis checked out due to sexual activity.
- In 2016, he told a female judge that he knew she was pregnant because “her boobs were bigger.” That same year, he told a female judge that he had “been wanting to (expletive)” [her] for a long time.”
- In 2018, he yelled to a prosecutor in a parking lot “nice legs” with a laugh. That same year, he told the same prosecutor that she looked like she was losing weight. He also added that she looked like she “used to.”
- The judge had relationships with about seven local attorneys. He was a landlord to some of them. Although he never disclosed those ties when those lawyers appeared before him in court. Some were his tenants. One was his divorce attorney.
- The JTC has already investigated the allegations and determined that there is enough evidence that warrants filing a formal complaint.
But, Wait! There’s More Complaints!
Additionally, the complaint alleges that Judge Wilson “improperly injected himself” into cases. He also once used his clout to help a defendant in a domestic violence case avoid getting arrested. The defendant in that case had violated a no-contact order. For reasons unclear, Judge Wilson called 911 without telling either the defense or the prosecution. He proceeded to tell the 911 operator that he had instructed the defendant to go to the prohibited location at issue to pick up his medication. Therefore, there was no need to arrest him and that he had the situation “all taken care of.”
The complaint also accused Judge Wilson of trying to get a judge to sign off on a forged document. The forged document made it look like he owed no child support following his divorce. However, he really owed a balance of $2,030. The judge did not sign off on the order.
He also allegedly used his clout as a judge to try and get a relative’s “minor in possession” charges dropped. When his efforts failed, he allegedly retaliated against people who would not do as he wished.
Judge Wilson now has to respond to the complaint. After that, the JTC will determine whether any discipline is warranted.
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