Mich. Judge Lied Under Oath, Should Be Dismissed, Panel Says
A Michigan judge lied under oath during her own divorce and submitted fake documents in her judicial ethics case, a nine-member state panel contends.
The Judicial Tenure Commission has recommended that Beverley Nettles-Nickerson be removed from the Ingham County Circuit Court bench and required to pay the $128,000 cost of the ethics case, reports the Detroit Free Press.
She will fight the charges, her lawyer, Phil Thomas contends, and has filed to run for re-election. “This case highlights the abuse that is carried out by the Judicial Tenure Commission against very good, honest judges,” he says.
The Michigan Supreme Court must now decide whether to accept the commission’s recommendations.
Nettles-Nickerson lied about her residency during her divorce case, berated staff and improperly dismissed cases, according to a special master’s findings of fact and conclusions of law (PDF provided by the Lansing State Journal).
Earlier coverage:
Lansing State Journal: “Misconduct trial of Judge Nettles-Nickerson”
Lansing State Journal: “Judge feels relieved after questioning”
