On Friday, June 20, 2025, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed retired judge Jennifer Mazzuchi to serve as a master to oversee a public hearing concerning allegations against Troy 52-4 District Judge Kirsten Nielsen Hartig.
The decision follows a formal complaint filed by the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, identified as Formal Complaint 109, which accuses Hartig of misconduct and creating a hostile work environment.
The complaint, spanning 13 pages, details incidents between 2018 and 2023, alleging that Hartig engaged in bullying behavior toward court staff and attempted to exert control over employees and departments beyond her authority. It also claims she clashed with the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and improperly dismissed criminal cases. Additionally, the commission alleges Hartig failed to provide a mandated psychological examination report promptly, submitting it approximately six months after the initial request in 2024.
A psychological evaluation, reported by AbusiveDiscretion on June 9, 2025, concluded that Hartig was “unsafe to practice” on the bench due to her courthouse behavior. Although the evaluation’s findings were initially redacted, they later became accessible in certain formats.
Specific incidents outlined in the complaint include a September 2018 event where Hartig allegedly berated probation supervisor Patti Bates and court administrator Dana O’Neal, accusing them of financial mismanagement. Another incident in October 2019 involved Hartig criticizing O’Neal for not responding to emails while O’Neal was attending a funeral.
In response to these allegations, Troy Chief Judge Travis Reeds removed Hartig from handling felony cases in May 2025. Reeds emphasized the Judicial Tenure Commission’s role in maintaining judicial integrity and stated that accountability is essential for public trust in the legal system. He noted that further action might be necessary following the complaint’s filing.
Daniel Cherin, a spokesperson for Judge Hartig, stated that she respects the Judicial Tenure Commission’s role and is committed to participating fully in the process. Cherin described the commission’s complaint as based on disputed claims and a flawed investigative process. Hartig, who has served as a judge for over a decade, intends to address the allegations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and factual integrity in judicial oversight.
The public hearing overseen by Mazzuchi will provide an opportunity to examine the allegations in detail. The process aims to ensure accountability while allowing Hartig to respond to the claims against her.
Judge Hartig has been a licensed attorney and a member of the State Bar of Michigan since 1991. Since January 2011, he has served as a judge for the 52nd District Court, Division 4, in Oakland County, Michigan.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
