ANN ARBOR (AP) — Michigan’s chief justice says there’s no immediate way to remove an Ann Arbor judge who collects a salary despite being stripped of his courtroom duties.
Robert Young Jr. says Judge Christopher Easthope can be paid “for doing no work for as long as his conscience will allow.” Young’s letter was published in The Detroit News.
The high court can remove judges but only after lengthy investigations by a watchdog agency.
The chief judge at 15th District Court has barred Easthope from hearing cases after text messages revealed that he and a local lawyer were drinking buddies who had smoked marijuana together. The messages also suggest Easthope helped the lawyer’s firm get a $203,000 contract with Ann Arbor.
Easthope plans to resign at year’s end.
- Posted July 27, 2015
- Tweet This | Share on Facebook
Chief justice: No quick way to sack judge
headlines Macomb
- Macomb County Meals on Wheels in urgent need of volunteers ahead of holiday season
- MDHHS hosting three, free virtual baby showers in November and December for new or expecting families
- MDHHS secures nearly 100 new juvenile justice placements through partnerships with local communities and providers
- MDHHS seeking proposals for student internship stipend program to enhance behavioral health workforce
- ABA webinar November 30 to explore the state of civil legal aid in America
headlines National
- This LA lawyer levels up legal protections in the video game industry
- ACLU and BigLaw firm use ‘Orange is the New Black’ in hashtag effort to promote NY jail reform
- Legal champions to receive Spirit of Excellence Award at 2026 ABA Midyear Meeting
- Fake Sullivan & Cromwell entities used by scammers should be dissolved, suit says
- Hackers gained access to ‘small number’ of attorney emails at Williams & Connolly, firm confirms
- Before joining Anderson Kill, judge was accused of rude behavior on bench, retaliatory threats in ethics case
