Did West Michigan Judge Susan Jonas Bill Michigan Taxpayers For Luaus And Hula Lessons In Hawaii?

You have been waiting for months for your criminal case to be heard so you can clear your name. Your attorney finally gets your day in court in front of 58th District Court Judge Susan Jonas. 

Or you could also be a homeowner who finally gets your day in court to fight your illegal foreclosure.

Then your attorney gets the dreaded call from the court clerk. The judge’s clerk informs him/her that Judge Jonas has rescheduled your hearing because she wants to speak at a week-long judicial conference in Hawaii.

Yes, this actually did happen in September of 2013. 

Judge Susan Jonas Gets Lei’d In Hawaii

Judge Susan Jonas went to a 5-day conference at the 5-star Fairmont Orchid resort on “The Big Island” of Hawaii. The conference was put on by the American Judges Association.

Jonas gave a one-hour presentation on the first day of the conference about her court’s sobriety court. As a result, she was free to indulge herself with four days of golfing, Hula lessons, scuba diving, and luaus. 

The Fairmont Orchid is known for its extravagant Gathering Of The Kings beach luau. The luau show features male fire dancers with chiseled chests and bulging biceps who row a boat on shore and then twirl fire sticks. In addition, exotic Hula dancers in grass skirts join them on stage while guests make pigs of themselves.

Judge Jonas was joined on the trip by disgraced Michigan Judge Brian Mackenzie. Mackenzie was removed from the bench in the 52nd District Court last year. He was accused of abusing his position as a judge multiple times.

Mackenzie was accused of using a six-time convicted drunk driver to be his personal chauffeur while campaigning for re-election. Oakland County Prosecutor accused Mackenzie of falsifying judicial records.

Mackenzie also had ties to drug testing firms used by his court. Mackenzie became infamous for requiring mandatory drug tests for probationers.

Who Paid For Jonas’ Five Day Adventure In The South Pacific 5-Star Resort?

Judge Jonas almost certainly had a great time checking out sculpted bodies of the Polynesian fire dancers and learning how to Hula dance. Yet, the question remains who paid for the trip? 

The trip is not showing up on any of Jonas’ campaign finance reports. Matter of fact, there is nothing on Judge Jonas’ campaign finance report. Judge Jonas has not raised a single dime for her judicial campaigns in over 15 years. She also has had no expenditures in over 15 years.

Therefore, there are only two other possibilities. Judge Susan Jonas paid for the trip out her own pocket. This is highly unlikely. I have worked with enough elected officials to know that they almost never pay for a trip like this when they can stick taxpayers with the bill. Especially if they think taxpayers aren’t paying attention.

If I was a betting man, I would bet Jonas probably stuck Ottawa County taxpayers with the bill. 

I’m not saying Judge Jonas didn’t pay for the trip out of her own pocket. She very well could have. Ottawa County taxpayers should be asking Judge Jonas to provide receipts. She may be a judge but first and foremost she is a public servant who answers to Ottawa County taxpayers and they have a right to know