Jackson, Mich. (WKHM) — An official response has been made to the formal complaint filed against Judge Thomas Wilson of the 4th Circuit Court in Jackson County by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC).
The complaint alleged that Judge Wilson had wrongly interfered with cases, failed to reveal conflicts of interest in some of his cases, sexually harassed female coworkers, and abused alcohol while working.
Judge Wilson admitted to abusing alcohol beginning in 2013-2015 until 2020-2021, saying that there may have been times he had consumed alcohol at home before returning to the courthouse, and that “any such occurrence would have likely occurred at the end of the work day or in the evening.”
Judge Wilson also admitted to multiple allegations of failing to reveal conflicts of interest, including judging cases with attorneys who were tenants in a building he owned and attorneys he had investment relationships with.
Judge Wilson denied sexually harassing several female coworkers between 2016-2018, but did admit to telling a female judge that he could tell she was pregnant because “her boobs were bigger” in 2016. He states that he believed to have had the kind of relationship with the female judge that the remark would not have been offensive to her.
There was neither an admittance nor denial to an allegation that Judge Wilson had conversations with coworkers in which he voiced his displeasure over his relative’s “minor in possession” case being transferred to Washtenaw County rather than dismissed, saying that he “does not recall the circumstances described” in that part of the complaint.
Judge Wilson did deny that he attempted to use his position to influence the outcome of that minor in possession case in Washtenaw County.
The response is ended with statements that the JTC failed to produce or allow inspection of evidence that would support Judge Wilson, and that “the Complaint is barred by laches and the JTC’s unreasonable and inexcusable delay in proceeding with a Formal Complaint.”
The response can be read in full by clicking here.
The original complaint against Judge Thomas Wilson can be read in full here.
