Judge Kathleen Ryan Removed Over Racist Comments

Kathleen Ryan, a Probate Judge in Oakland County, has been removed from her docket following the leak of recordings in which she made racist and homophobic remarks. The recordings, obtained by media sources, include Ryan using derogatory language towards Black individuals and making graphic statements about Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, who is gay. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter condemned her remarks, stating there is no place for such language in the court system, especially from someone in a position of authority. Ryan's removal on August 27 was for unspecified misconduct, and she is now under investigation by the Judicial Tenure Commission. The court administrator, Edward Hutton, who recorded the calls, expressed his goal of ensuring a fair judicial process and protecting court users from bias. Ryan has served as a judge since 2010, and her actions have drawn widespread condemnation from lawmakers and the public alike.