Nearly a quarter-century ago, a Michigan court insider blew the whistle on widespread misconduct, perjury, and systemic corruption inside the state’s judicial system. That whistleblower’s warning, ultimately ignored, painted a chilling picture: judges, prosecutors, and county officials routinely protected their own, creating a justice system that functioned more like a shield for insiders than a safeguard for the public.
Today, the same script is playing out all over again.
The Perjury Allegations No One Wants to Touch
A detailed complaint submitted to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission (AGC) outlines extensive alleged misconduct by Washtenaw County prosecutor Marieh Tanha, including repeated false statements under oath, hidden overseas assets, concealed rental income, and violations of court orders.
The evidence (bank records, tax filings, deposition transcripts, and financial disclosures) paints a clear and troubling picture. Tanha allegedly:
- Denied receiving profits from a property sale despite documented wire transfers totaling over $34,000.
- Failed to disclose multiple real estate holdings and rental income in Sweden while filing verified financial statements.
- Diverted payroll deposits into joint accounts with family members, directly violating a court order.
- Signed a power of attorney enabling her aunt overseas to manage and conceal financial documents and rental proceeds.
Despite this, Judge Hamood has refused to investigate or even refer the allegations for review by Tanha’s supervisor, Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit. And it could be months before the AGC even decides whether to investigate at all.
There is no other way to describe it than for what it is: institutional self-preservation.
A Pattern That Hasn’t Changed in 24 Years
This case isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a much larger story; one Michigan has been telling for decades.
Twenty-four years ago, a family court whistleblower exposed how Michigan’s judiciary routinely ignored misconduct, falsified records, and punished those who spoke out.
Nothing changed.
And in recent months, clutch has explored how Judges like Margaret Zuzich Bakker and prosecutors like Tanha operate with near-total impunity, shielded by political connections and a system that punishes accountability more harshly than perjury.
The result is predictable: officials lie under oath and hide assets, confident that their colleagues and the oversight bodies tasked with regulating them will look the other way.
“David vs. Goliath” — and Goliath Always Wins
For many forced to go through it, the process feels like a “David vs. Goliath” battle; except in this story, Goliath also writes the rules for the battle.
Even with documented proof of perjury and financial concealment, there’s no guarantee the Attorney Grievance Commission will investigate. Even if it does, there’s no timeline for accountability. And even if a finding is made, discipline is far from certain.
This is the heart of Michigan’s justice crisis: accountability is optional when you’re part of the system.
Why This Matters for All of Us
When prosecutors lie under oath and suffer no consequences, the public loses faith not just in a single case, but in the entire legal system. When judges ignore credible allegations because they involve their colleagues, the message is clear: justice is conditional.
And when decades pass without structural reform (despite whistleblowers, lawsuits, and investigative reporting) Michigan residents are forced to ask whether “justice” is even the goal anymore.
The same rot identified in the early 2000s has only deepened.
Until Michigan stops allowing prosecutors, judges, and county officials to police themselves, cases like this one will continue to unfold and the truth will continue to be buried right alongside accountability.
