A Michigan judge who served on the bench for more than 13 years has resigned following the release of secret audio recordings that exposed deeply troubling statements about Black people and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Judge Kathleen Ryan, who served on the Oakland County Probate Court, stepped down after an investigation revealed recordings in which she expressed offensive views and described herself as a “new racist.”
How the Recordings Came to Light
The recordings were made by a court administrator who worked alongside Ryan for years. He said he began recording her during long work calls when she would share inflammatory and inappropriate comments. He filed complaints over the years but said they were never properly followed up on.
He stated that nobody with that much hate in their heart for certain groups of people could possibly make fair and unbiased decisions regarding them. His decision to come forward was motivated by one thing — protecting the people who appeared before Ryan in court.
What the Recordings Revealed
In the recordings Ryan described herself as a “new racist” and made offensive comments about Black Americans and gay public officials. The recordings also contained homophobic slurs directed at local elected officials.
County officials said they were deeply disturbed by what they heard, noting that such language corrupts the judiciary and erases public trust in the legal system.
Calls for Accountability
Ryan had been on paid administrative leave for 15 months before finally resigning. The body responsible for investigating judicial misconduct never formally investigated the matter or took disciplinary action prior to her resignation.
Following her departure the judicial vacancy has been publicly posted and the Governor of Michigan will appoint a replacement to fill the seat.
Why This Case Matters
This case has reignited a national conversation about judicial accountability and whether enough safeguards exist to ensure that judges who hold deeply biased views are identified and removed before they can cause harm to the people whose lives they are entrusted to affect.
For the families who appeared before Judge Ryan in cases involving estates, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships the question of whether they received fair and impartial rulings remains deeply unsettling.
