On Friday, January 9, 2026, the 7 Investigators reported that Oakland County Probate Judge Kathleen Ryan, embroiled in controversy following accusations of racist and homophobic remarks, will vacate her position. The announcement comes after a 7 Investigators probe that initially brought the offensive recordings to light in September 2024.

The recordings captured Judge Ryan making several inappropriate statements, which led to her removal from the bench by the probate court’s former chief judge, who also filed a complaint with the Judicial Tenure Commission. For the past 15 months, Ryan has been on paid leave. However, her legal representatives have informed the 7 Investigators that she is now voluntarily retiring.

The Judicial Tenure Commission has not issued any formal public complaint regarding the matter. The commission is legally restricted from discussing investigations into judges until the formal public process commences.

The State Bar of Michigan and the Governor’s Office have officially posted the Judicial Vacancy for the Oakland County Probate Court. Applications are being accepted for the appointment, which will be made by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The posting explicitly identifies Judge Kathleen Ryan as the “vacating judge.”

Judge Ryan served on the bench for over 13 years and held the position of Chief Judge Pro Tem for the probate court at the time of her removal.

Edward Hutton, the Oakland County Probate Court Administrator, alleged that Judge Ryan had subjected him to years of harassment. He stated that his decision to speak publicly about the allegations was prompted by the lack of action taken on his complaints over several months.

Hutton, who is also an attorney, oversees the administrative functions of one of the state’s largest probate courts, excluding matters under the purview of the judges. He claimed that Judge Ryan had been calling him at work and after hours for years, during which she made highly inappropriate remarks.

When questioned about why he started recording the calls, Hutton explained that he felt the situation would not improve otherwise. He affirmed the authenticity of the recordings, stating that they were unmanipulated conversations he participated in and that he was prepared to testify to their authenticity under oath.

One audio recording provided to the 7 Investigators purportedly captures Ryan using racist and vulgar language, including derogatory remarks about Black individuals from America, and expressing anger towards the Black Lives Matter movement.

Transcripts of some of the recordings obtained by the 7 Investigators reveal further offensive statements attributed to Judge Ryan, including the use of racial slurs and expressions of frustration towards the Black Lives Matter movement. She also identified herself by name in one recording, confirming her involvement in sending a strongly worded email to a county employee.

Hutton further alleged that Judge Ryan used homophobic slurs about other Oakland County elected officials. He also claimed that Ryan had previously boasted about having connections within the Judicial Tenure Commission, although there is no evidence to suggest she contacted them regarding this specific issue. Hutton also stated that Judge Ryan had expressed confidence in the support of other Oakland County judges.

Judge Ryan’s attorneys maintain that the Judicial Tenure Commission did not take action against her and that her retirement is voluntary.

Oakland County Probate Judge Daniel A. O’Brien expressed his disappointment with the handling of Ryan’s removal and the subsequent investigation by the authorities responsible for resolving the situation. He voiced concerns about the probate court operating with visiting judges for over a year to manage Judge Ryan’s caseload. Despite the controversy, O’Brien acknowledged Ryan as a great judge who was respected for her work on the bench.

 

 

Source: 7 Investigators