Probate Judge Gets Corrective Action

But does not receive formal discipline.

An agency that oversees Michigan judges took "corrective action" against local Probate Judge David Stowe in response to a misconduct complaint.

But the state's Judicial Tenure Commission stopped short of filing a formal complaint against Stowe that could have resulted in significant discipline.

Stowe had a personal relationship with Cynthia Curry, who worked for him in the family court while he administered child custody matters in her divorce case. Stowe subsequently fired, then paid a $69,000 settlement to the county's family court administrator for reporting the relationship.

Curry's ex-husband, Ronald Curry, lodged a complaint with the Judicial Tenure Commission over Stowe's actions. Paul Fischer, executive director of the JTC, responded to Ronald Curry's complaint in a Nov. 12 letter.

Fischer wrote: "Occasionally, a judge's conduct falls short of the ideal judicial officer, yet does not warrant commencement of formal discipline proceedings." "In this matter, the Commission has taken an appropriate corrective action."

Curry: "They say he didn't do anything illegal, but if you take taxpayer money, basically mine and yours, and pay off somebody to be quiet, how can that not be illegal, I just think they are really just screwing the system. They think that they are above the law and everything else."

Michael Stein Stein threatened a Whistleblower lawsuit and Stowe paid Stein $69,000 from court coffers to prevent a suit, an agreement that prohibited him from making negative comments about Stowe's actions. Stowe fired Stein in early 2007 after Stein reported Stowe's alleged actions to Grand Traverse County officials, who forwarded the allegations to the state.

Source:
No formal complaint for family court judge

See also:
Probate judge pays to settle lawsuit - Stowe spends court funds to head off whistleblower suit