Judge Paul John Cusick

Made racist comments about a person's immigration status at a sentencing hearing.

The complaint was anonymized in the 2022 Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission Report: http://cms4files.revize.com/mjtc/annual_report/docs/2022%20Annual%20Report.pdf

"...made comments about a defendant’s ethnic heritage during sentencing in a criminal
case.

The judge said the defendant was “a discredit to every immigrant who comes to this country,”and that it was “people like” the defendant who have created political problems in our country. The Commission concluded that in context the judge’s comments did not denigrate any race or ethnicity and it was not their intent to do so. Rather, the judge’s words were meant communicate to the
defendant that their actions harmed many people other than the immediate victim.
In a letter of explanation the Commission stated that comments about a defendant’s race or heritage are often inflammatory and often violate Canon 3(A)(14), which requires a judge to treat every person with courtesy and respect. In that regard, the Commission explained that the judge’s focus on the defendant and “people like” them as the problem, rather than focusing on the defendant’s actions, is often seen as disrespectful to the defendant as a person. The Commission further noted that
the judge’s references to the political impact of the defendant’s actions tended to make it appear that the judge might have been swayed by partisan interests or public clamor in violation of Canon 3(A)(1), and might call into question the judge’s impartiality, contrary to Canon 2(B)."

He also had a more public complaint against him closed by the JTC in 2024, where he allegedly withheld evidence on a case he was on while acting as an assistant attorney general.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2024/08/29/michigan-supreme-court-dismisses-misconduct-claim-on-wayne-co-judge/74994892007/