By ELIZABETH FERSZT
Contributing Writer
Hon. Thomas Wilson, a judge in the 4th Circuit Court, Jackson County retired Feb. 27 according to Chief Administrative Judge Susan B. Jordan.
Wilson is facing a Judicial Tenure Commission formal complaint (FC 110), filed on Sept. 11, 2025 by three lawyers on the commission (Lynn Helland, Kevin Hirsch, and Casimir Swastek), which is listed as still pending according to the JTC website.
While the ultimate outcome is still unclear, Wilson is likely still liable for professional consequences. But, according to a spokesperson from the JTC, “only the Supreme Court has authority to remove a judge from the bench,” — they just “make a recommendation.”
Interim JTC Executive Director, Glenn J. Page later said in a phone call that the Judicial Tenure Committee “can still recommend a term of suspension” for a judge under formal complaint, regardless of his/her retirement, provided that they may want to continue to serve as a visiting judge in the same jurisdiction or in nearby circuits.
When asked what will happen to the FC 110 action, Page said that it still remains pending. “Only the Supreme Court of Michigan can discipline a judge,” and “we don’t disbar — only the Attorney Grievances Commission can do that.”
When asked about civil parties or criminal litigants who may have come before the judge during the time period when the allegations occurred, Page said, “nothing the committee does can affect a particular case directly,” as in throw out or vacate a judgment, order, or sentencing signed by Wilson; but parties may use a potential suspension or disciplinary action against Wilson in their appeal, Page said.
Whitmer is obligated to appoint a replacement judge to serve the remaining four years of Wilson’s current term in the 4th Circuit, which ends in 2030. The vacant judicial position is already listed on the State Bar of Michigan’s website, with a Feb. 27 deadline to apply.
Wilson is facing eight counts of misconduct in office, while on the bench, and in the courthouse work environment. These included very explicit charges of sexual harassment of other female judges, female prosecutors, and female attorneys.
Other charges included using his office to influence the outcome of a case, including cases involving his family members. There were also conflict of interest charges in real estate properties that he co-owned with, or rented to, attorneys who appeared before him, arguing cases and possibly representing clients with too close of ties to Wilson.
