Judge Accused Of Misconduct After Locking Up 3 Kids In Custody Case

PONTIAC (WWJ/AP) - A suburban Detroit judge who sent three siblings to juvenile detention for refusing to meet with their estranged father has been accused of misconduct by a judicial watchdog.

The Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission says the actions of Oakland County Judge Lisa Gorcyca have eroded the public's confidence in the judiciary.

Gorcyca is presiding over a contentious custody dispute involving the parents of three children. In July, she found the siblings in contempt and sent them to juvenile detention for refusing to have lunch with their dad.

After widespread publicity, the kids were released after two weeks.

[View a copy of the complaint] 

In a formal ethics complaint, filed Monday, Gorcyca is accused of failing to respect the law and act in a patient, dignified and courteous manner.  In addition, the commission accuses the judge of making misrepresentations, or false statements in an earlier letter.

Depending on what happens with the complaint, Judge Gorcyca could face some type of discipline; although her attorney, Tom Cranmer, predicts she'll be vindicated at a hearing.

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Since the stay in the detention center and at a summer camp the kids have been living with their father.

In October, the children's mother, Maya Tsimhoni, asked Gorcyca to  disqualify herself from the case. Her request was denied.

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