We expect prosecutors to be guardians of the law; to act with integrity, fairness, and accountability. We trust them to hold others to the rules, to pursue the guilty, and to protect the innocent.
But what happens when a prosecutor appears to believe that the law does not apply to them?
That is the troubling question raised by an Ann Arbor Independent recent article on Washtenaw assistant county prosecutor Marieh Tanha. In it, her ex-spouse alleges that during their 2022 divorce, Tanha intentionally submitted false financial disclosures and hid assets from the circuit court.
And we’re not talking about a few hundred dollars here and there. It’s in potentially the hundreds of thousands.
If true, these are not mere technical missteps. They cut to the heart of the public’s faith in the justice system. Let’s unpack why this matters.
Why These Allegations Are So Dangerous
1. It’s a Double Standard Eroding Trust
When the enforcers of the law seemingly flout it, we get the message loud and clear: there’s one law for prosecutors and another for everyone else. That automatically breeds cynicism and corruption of confidence in the system. Even if virtually all prosecutors act honorably, a few high-profile scandals cast a shadow over all.
2. Financial Disclosure Is a Serious Obligation
Public officials, especially those working in law enforcement or the judiciary, are often required by statute or court rule to disclose finances, assets, liabilities, and conflicts. That requirement exists for a reason: transparency helps detect conflicts of interest, ensures accountability, and affirms that decision-makers aren’t secretly compromised.
If a prosecutor lies under oath or omits material financial information in those disclosures, that’s absolutely perjury. It is not a “mistake.” And it shows exactly why disclosure rules matter.
3. Impunity Is a Slippery Slope
If this kind of misconduct goes unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent and it begs the question: what else has she gotten away with? It sends the message that no matter how serious the breach, a prosecutor can still act with near impunity, insulated by their authority, position, or relationships. That undermines deterrence and weakens the rule of law from within.
What Justice Demands Now
For the sake of legitimacy, fairness, and public confidence, certain actions must follow swiftly and decisively.
The allegations should be rigorously and transparently investigated by an independent body not merely by internal or politically aligned actors. The problem is her boss, Eli Savit, is running for Attorney General, and every political step counts.
Here’s where investigators should start.
Impartial Investigation & Oversight
- Find out if conflicts of interest exist in local oversight (e.g. county-level control), state-level or external oversight (e.g. state attorney general or an ethics commission) should step in.
- Discovery, witness interviews, forensic document review, and cross-examination of evidence should be part of the process.
Equal Application of the Law
- If probable cause is found, criminal charges must be filed, just as they would be against any private citizen.
- Prosecutorial immunity is real and necessary in many contexts, but immunity should not become a blanket shield for unethical or criminal conduct. The doctrine doesn’t (or shouldn’t) protect intentional lies or deliberate concealment under oath.
- Disciplinary proceedings should proceed, including suspension from duties, possible revocation of license, or removal from office.
Institutional and Cultural Reform
- Prosecutor’s offices should embed periodic ethics audits, external review panels, and internal compliance systems (e.g. rotating audits of disclosures).
- Transparency reforms, like making disclosure records publicly viewable (where legally permissible) would help reduce secrecy and increase accountability.
- Training must emphasize that prosecutors do not “own the case” or “control the truth.” They have a duty of candor to the court and a higher obligation to justice.
Public Oversight & Pressure
- Media exposure, civic engagement, and watchdog activism are essential. The public must know when these failures occur and must demand accountability.
- Whistleblower protections matter: if staffers in a prosecutor’s office see wrongdoing, they must have safe channels to report it.
- Electors and local governments must demand transparent criteria for prosecutorial performance; not just convictions, but ethics, fairness, and integrity.
Why We Must Insist on This
We entrust prosecutors with immense power: charging decisions, plea bargaining, sentencing recommendations, control over evidence, and more. Which quite frankly, is too much if you ask me, because that power can become deeply dangerous if wielded by someone unaccountable or corrupt.
Every time we allow a prosecutor’s misconduct to go unanswered, we erode the public’s belief in justice. And we inch closer to a system where law enforcement becomes tyranny in formal robes.
To those in legal and political leadership: treat this accusation not as an embarrassment to be swept under the rug, but as a test. Do you believe your own rules apply to you? Can you demonstrate that no one is above the law?
Then prove it. Act decisively, fairly, and openly.
To the public: hold your prosecutors to the same standard you expect from others. Ask questions. Demand accountability. The legitimacy of justice depends on it.
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