Ruling Castigates 35-Year Mich. Judge; Defense Costs Top $100K
After a scathing report from a special master reviewing his judicial discipline case, a longtime Michigan jurist is digging in for a longer-term battle to retain his seat on the bench.
The controversial discipline case pits Rockford District Judge Steven Servaas, 62, who has been on the bench for 35 years, against the state’s Judicial Tenure Commission, which has been seeking since February to remove him from office. In an 11-page ruling, the special master, retired Berrien County Judge Casper Grathwohl, found that Servaas had clearly violated a residency requirement and had engaged in “sick humor” of a sexual nature concerning female staffers, reports the Grand Rapids Press.
However, Servaas says he resolved the residency issue, as soon as he realized it existed, by moving back into the 63rd District, and expresses astonishment that his claimed sick humor—some of which he admits, and has apologized for, and some of which he denies—has created such a major issue concerning his continued tenure in office. Among the conduct he denies, which the special master castigated him for: drawings of breasts and a penis.
A Kent County liability insurance policy provides $100,000 of coverage for his legal fees, but it has already been exhausted, says the judge, who is being defended by Miller Johnson, according to another Grand Rapids Press article.
“It’s horribly expensive,” Servaas said. “I was astounded. All this—for doodles?”
He questions the fairness of the Judicial Tenure Commission and says he expects to have to fight his case to retain his seat all the way to the state supreme court. It backed him in April, refusing to suspend him from office as the commission had sought. After the special master’s ruling, the next step in the process is a July 14 hearing before the full nine-member commission. Meanwhile, Servaas is seeking re-election in November and, so far, is running unopposed.
The case has been controversial, and among those who have criticized the investigation of Servaas are 12 former presidents of a local bar association.
Related coverage:
WWMT (CBS): “Rockford Judge Prepares To Be Ousted”
WOOD (NBC): “Servaas to appeal Judicial commission ruling”
ABAJournal.com: “Mich. Supreme Court Sides With Embattled Judge”
ABAJournal.com: “Bar Presidents Protest ‘Reckless’ Investigation of Mich. Judge”
