Oakland County Judge Expressed Racist and Homophobic Sentiments
Courtroom Controversy
An Oakland County Probate Court judge, whose recent removal from her docket amid accusations of “unprofessional conduct”, is now under investigation following the discovery of audio files in which she expresses racist sentiments and homophobic slurs. The recordings, verified to contain the voice of Judge Kathleen Ryan, were shared with the public this week.
Among the statements captured and verified by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Woodward and the office of Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, Ryan used offensive slurs targeted at Coulter, who is openly gay, and made derogatory comments about Black Americans.
Investigation Underway
This shocking revelation is now tied to a state judicial misconduct investigation into Judge Ryan. The judge, removed from her docket on Aug. 27, is currently on leave by order of the Oakland County Probate Court’s chief judge, awaiting the final decision from the Judicial Tenure Commission. The timeline of when these recordings were made remains uncertain, as does whether Ryan consented to their capture. Attempts to reach Ryan for comment were unsuccessful.
Whistleblower Revealed
The Probate Court Administrator, Edward Hutton, chose not to comment on Ryan’s removal but willingly disclosed to WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) that he was responsible for recording and reporting Ryan. Hutton filed a sexual harassment complaint against Ryan and dispatched his recordings to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, as well as Coulter and other public officials on Aug. 22.
Hutton’s dispatch of the recordings followed an apparent lack of action from the Oakland County Chief Probate Judge Linda Hallmark after he reported sexual harassment months earlier. The whistleblower commented that he is not seeking a lawsuit or financial compensation, but merely wishes to work in peace and ensure a fair judicial process for the gavel’s citizens.
Offensive Content
Included in the short yet shocking audio files, Ryan is heard using offensive language targeted at Coulter and making distressing comments about Black Americans. Without context, it is unclear what provoked these startling statements, or when and where the recordings were made.
Beyond the inappropriate language, Ryan can be heard asserting her new-found racist beliefs, showing a significant lack of knowledge or sensitivity towards issues of racial discrimination.
Call for Resignation
Both Coulter and Woodward have shown their outrage at these revelations, expressing disgust at a figure trusted with ensuring justice so blatantly exhibiting hate speech and disrespect. Woodward has urged Ryan to resign immediately, stating that her presence on the bench would cause embarrassment indeed to the people of Oakland County.
Coulter, equally appalled, expressed full trust in the agencies reviewing the matter to take appropriate action.
Outlook
The Judicial Tenure Commission has yet to confirm if an official investigation into Ryan is underway. With no previous public complaints filed with the JTC to her name, a forced removal from the bench before the case is resolved would mark a significant event for Ryan, who was unopposed in her last election in 2022 and who has served on the bench since 2010.
Notably, Ryan was previously charged with misdemeanor domestic violence in 2021, a case dismissed in March 2022. The reasons behind this dismissal remain unknown as the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
