On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Judge Thomas D. Wilson of the 4th Circuit Court in Jackson County filed a response to a formal complaint lodged against him by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission (JTC). The response addresses allegations of judicial misconduct, including interference in cases, failure to disclose conflicts of interest, sexual harassment of female colleagues, and alcohol abuse while on duty.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Thomas D. Wilson,” with case number 110.

Judge Wilson acknowledged a period of alcohol abuse spanning from 2013-2015 to 2020-2021. He conceded that on certain occasions, he may have consumed alcohol at home before returning to the Jackson County courthouse. However, he qualified this admission by stating that such instances likely occurred at the end of the workday or in the evening hours.

The response also included admissions regarding multiple instances where Judge Wilson failed to disclose conflicts of interest. Specifically, he acknowledged presiding over cases involving attorneys who were tenants in a building he owned, as well as cases involving attorneys with whom he had investment relationships.

While denying allegations of sexually harassing female coworkers between 2016 and 2018, Judge Wilson did admit to making a comment to a female judge in 2016 about her pregnancy. He stated that he told her he could tell she was pregnant because her breasts were bigger. He justified the remark by stating that he believed have had the kind of relationship with the female judge where the remark would not be offensive.

Regarding an allegation that he voiced displeasure over a relative’s “minor in possession” case being transferred to Washtenaw County instead of being dismissed, Judge Wilson neither admitted nor denied the conversation. He stated that he “does not recall the circumstances described” in that part of the complaint. He did, however, deny attempting to use his position to influence the outcome of the minor in possession case in Washtenaw County.

In closing, Judge Wilson’s response asserts that the JTC failed to provide or allow inspection of evidence that would support his defense. The response further argues that the complaint is barred by laches, citing the JTC’s unreasonable and inexcusable delay in proceeding with a formal complaint.

Judge Wilson‘s courtroom is located at 312 South Jackson Street, 4th Floor, Jackson, MI 49201, and can be reached at 517-788-4380.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.