Michigan judge takes the Fifth, 222 times

Lori Shemka began working for the 28th District Court in Southgate, Michigan, on January 1, 2009. She was later promoted to be a magistrate of the court. Soon, she began to raise concerns that Judge James Kandrevas was abusing his position. Shemka raised concerns that Kandrevas was comingling funds, making false representations to get state and federal grants, failing to pay overtime, and using court employees and resources for non-court business. Kandrevas fired Shemka on May 15, and Shemka sued.  During a three-day deposition of Kandrevas, the judge used the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination 222 times. The judge claimed a lack of memory in response to many other questions. Now, according to a report by the News Herald, the City of Southgate has decided to settle Shemka’s whistleblower lawsuit. City Attorney Edward Zelenak told the paper that the city’s insurance carrier recommended that the case be settled as a cost-savings measure. The details have not been disclosed. The U.S. Justice Department is still investigating Shemka’s allegations. Shemka tells us that the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission is also investigating Kandrevas’ conduct.