Hearing For Inkster Judge Accused Of Taking $130K
LANSING (AP) - A federal judge has cleared the way for a hearing for a suburban Detroit judge accused of misusing about $130,000 in public funds and spending court money on personal expenses.
The Michigan Supreme Court last month suspended Inkster District Judge Sylvia James. The Judicial Tenure Commission has set a hearing Monday in Dearborn Heights on the accusations.
James asked Detroit U.S. District Court to halt the hearing, but The Detroit News reports that Judge Lawrence Zatkoff on Sunday denied her request for a temporary restraining order.
State investigators say the improper spending included money for Inkster High School cheerleader uniforms, a school European trip fund, a 1970 class reunion and the Inkster Police Auxiliary.
James disputes the allegations and has been on paid leave since April.
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