Earlier this month, a storm of controversy erupted around Judge Thomas D. Wilson when the Michigan state Judicial Tenure Commission unveiled an eight-count ethics complaint against him. The allegations paint a troubling picture of behavior unbecoming of a judge, spanning nearly a decade of his judicial career.

The commission's detailed complaint accuses Judge Wilson of habitual alcohol abuse from 2013 to 2021. It claims that he frequently appeared in public and professional settings while clearly under the influence—often smelling of alcohol, looking disheveled, or appearing flushed. Shockingly, Wilson admitted during a commission interview that he would occasionally leave the courthouse to drink at home, only to return to his duties while still intoxicated.

However, the allegations extend beyond substance abuse. The complaint also accuses Wilson of engaging in several instances of sexual harassment towards female judges and lawyers. This reportedly included inappropriate comments about their physical appearance and unsolicited boasts about his sexual exploits. In one particularly startling admission, he allegedly told a colleague about a personal health scare brought on by his sexual activities, in a crude attempt to highlight his exploits.

Further complicating the ethical landscape, Wilson is accused of failing to disclose personal relationships with parties or attorneys appearing before him, as well as improperly inserting himself into cases not assigned to him.

In response to these severe allegations, Wilson’s attorney, Thomas W. Cranmer of Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone PLC, has defended his client's reputation. Speaking to Bloomberg Law, Cranmer described Judge Wilson as a "respected and trusted jurist in Jackson County" and stated that Wilson is looking forward to vindicating himself and clearing his name of these accusations.

The full ethics complaint against Judge Wilson can be accessed and reviewed via a downloadable PDF document, providing the public and legal community with detailed insight into the case's specifics and the evidence presented by the Judicial Tenure Commission.

As the legal community and the public at large wait to see how these allegations will unfold, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of integrity and professionalism in the judiciary. The outcomes of this high-profile ethical investigation are sure to resonate far beyond the confines of Jackson County.