Judge Kathleen Ryan: Recordings, Retirement, and Successor

Former Oakland County probate judge Kathleen Ryan was removed from her courtroom docket in August 2024 after a court administrator released secret recordings in which she called herself “a new racist” and used homophobic slurs. She spent roughly 15 months on paid leave, voluntarily retired without any formal action by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, and was replaced on the bench in April 2026 by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointee, Nicole Huddleston.¹²

What the Recordings Captured

Oakland County Probate Court administrator Edward Hutton secretly recorded phone conversations with Ryan over roughly two years. He said he began taping because he felt she had harassed him for years and he expected to need proof under oath.³

On one recording, Ryan said: “If you’re a Black from any other country, you’re doing way better. If you’re an American Black person, then you’re a f—ing lazy piece of s—.”⁴ On another, she said: “I can honestly say that, OK, I’m not systemically racist — I’m a new racist. I never was, but now I am because you’re shoving this s— down my throat, making allegations that you don’t know s— about.”³

The recordings also contained homophobic slurs directed at other elected officials, including openly gay Oakland County Executive David Coulter.⁵ In one recorded moment, Ryan said she was “untouchable” and that 22 judges would “back me.”¹

How the Recordings Reached the Public

On May 24, 2024, Hutton filed a formal sexual harassment notice against Ryan with Chief Probate Judge Linda Hallmark. He said nothing happened for three months.³ On August 22, 2024, he emailed the audio to Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, Coulter, other public officials, and WXYZ investigative reporter Heather Catallo.⁵ Catallo’s “7 Investigators” report in September 2024 made the content public.

Removal From the Docket and Official Reaction

On August 27, 2024, Chief Probate Judge Hallmark removed Ryan from her courtroom docket, citing a complaint over “internal allegations of unprofessional conduct,” and referred the matter to the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission. Ryan was suspended with pay.³⁶

Coulter called Ryan’s words “abhorrent” and said “there is absolutely no place for harassment of any kind or for racist or homophobic language by anyone at Oakland County.”³ Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chair Dave Woodward said he was “sickened” and called for a fast investigation to remove her permanently.⁵ State Senator Stephanie Chang and Representative Kelly Breen raised concerns about Ryan’s potential impact on families who had appeared before her. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said the situation underscored the need for guardianship reform.

Questions About Her Prior Rulings

As a probate judge since January 2011, Ryan presided over guardianships, conservatorships, and estates — matters that directly shape the lives of vulnerable people.⁷ Hutton directly questioned her fitness, telling WXYZ: “Nobody with that much hate in their heart for certain people — not just individuals, but groups of people. I don’t believe that they could possibly make fair, unbiased decisions regarding them.”³

Whether Ryan’s stated biases influenced any specific ruling has not been determined by any court or commission. At least one law firm announced it was investigating claims on behalf of people who may have been adversely affected by her decisions.

A Prior Domestic Assault Arrest

The recordings were not Ryan’s first controversy. On November 24, 2021, Wixom police arrested her after her boyfriend called 911 and said: “She just started whacking me.”⁸ She was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic assault and battery and released the next day on a personal bond.⁹ The charges were later dismissed.³

Retirement Without a Formal Ruling

The Judicial Tenure Commission investigates judicial misconduct in Michigan and can recommend that the state Supreme Court censure, suspend, or remove a judge. It operates confidentially until it files a formal public complaint.¹⁰

No formal public complaint was ever issued against Ryan. After roughly 15 months on paid leave, she voluntarily retired. Her attorneys, Gerald Gleeson and Thomas Cranmer, told WXYZ the commission had not taken action against her and that retirement was her own decision.¹ Throughout the matter they said they looked “forward to vindicating Judge Ryan in the appropriate forum.”¹¹

Because Ryan retired before any formal complaint, the commission’s process ended without a public resolution. The Michigan Supreme Court can only discipline a judge on a tenure commission recommendation, and Michigan has no mechanism to permanently bar a removed or resigned judge from holding future judicial office.¹²

Who Replaced Her

On April 1, 2026, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Nicole Huddleston to the Oakland County Probate Court seat Ryan had vacated. Huddleston took the bench on April 17, 2026, for a partial term expiring at noon on January 1, 2027.²¹³

1
WXYZ. Oakland County Judge Who Called Herself a New Racist Vacates Position
2
State of Michigan. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench
3
WXYZ. Local Judge Removed From Docket After Court Official Shares Audio Recordings
4
ABA Journal. Judge Not Hearing Cases After Allegedly Calling Herself New Racist on Secret Recording
5
Detroit Free Press. Recording of Oakland County Judge Kathleen Ryan Contains Gay and Racist Slurs
6
The Guardian. Michigan Judge Kathleen Ryan Suspended
7
Legal News. Kathleen A. Ryan Career Profile
8
ClickOnDetroit. Dashcam Video Shows Arrest of Oakland County Judge Charged With Domestic Assault
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Detroit News. Oakland County Chief Probate Judge Charged With Domestic Assault
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Michigan Courts. Judicial Tenure Commission Comment on MCR 9.200
11
Legal News. Judge Kathleen Ryan Under Investigation
12
National Center for State Courts. When a Judge Gets Removed From Office
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The Oakland Press. New Probate Judge Appointed for Oakland County