Judge Theresa Brennan was back on the job in Livingston County, just days after MSP investigators raided the courthouse, seizing her computers in an ongoing investigation into accusations of perjury, stemming from an affair with a trial witness.
County residents who helped elect her were shaking their heads that a judge, who is not only under a police probe, but also being investigated by the judicial tenure commission, could remain on the bench with such a cloud hanging over her.
“She should have stepped down,” said resident Linda Kaufman.
Another man, who was in her courtroom today, found it ironic and maddening she was presiding over his PPO case, when she appears to have issues related to her own “moral compass”, he said.
Attorneys who had cases before Judge Brennan this morning told us, off camera, it is an awkward situation. They are taking orders from a judge questioning their client’s truthfulness, when her own is under scrutiny.
We are told only the Michigan Supreme Court has the authority to suspend or remove a sitting judge.
The results of the investigations underway could make that happen.
