Joseph J. Farah: who is he? Judge Genesee County is terminated on allegations of misconduct

Joseph J. Farah: who is he? Judge Genesee County is terminated on allegations of misconduct

Judge Joseph J. Farah of the Genesee County Circuit Court, who is accused of sexual harassment, has been relieved of his on-site duties three months before his retirement in November, the county announced in a news release on Friday, August 12.

Judge Joseph J. Farah was accused of harassment by a former intern for the judge in the second part of 2021.

This week, Farah announced his intention to leave starting on November 9 in response to an investigation by Michigan State University that revealed evidence supporting the allegations of harassment.

However, in advance of his retirement, he was relieved of his in-person duties at the courthouse, according to a statement made public by acting chief judge Elizabeth A. Kelly on Friday.

Joseph J Farah

The State Court Administrative Office was consulted before a ruling was made.

Kelly issued a formal statement that read:

In the time between now and his retirement in November, he will remotely finish any outstanding tasks that were put on hold. The Court will keep working to provide judicial resources for any other cases that are now before Judge Farah until a replacement judge is appointed.

Given that the intern was a student there, Michigan State University has already discontinued connections with Farah.

At the school of law at the university, Farah served as an adjunct professor.

In an email from MSU Interim Assistant Provost Ann E. Austin to Farah dated Wednesday, August 10, the judge was informed that he would no longer be permitted to work at or volunteer with the institution.

The press was able to access Austin’s email by making a Freedom of Information Act request.

Joseph J. Farah: who is he? How did he act?

Born and raised in Flint, Joseph J. Farah earned his B.S. from Michigan State University in 1975 and his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1979.

Joseph J. Farah was chosen to sit on the Genesee County Circuit Court bench in March 1998.

Farah was a private attorney for 18 years prior to her 1998 appointment to the circuit court. He was also good friends with the court official.

According to the July 13th-dated inquiry report from the Michigan State University Resolution Office, there is evidence that Farah violated the school’s policies on interpersonal violence and Title IX.

The resolution representative also found that Farah had violated MSU’s anti-discrimination policy.

The allegations of stalking and harassment, however, proved unfounded.

Farah is no longer allowed to work or volunteer for the school or to approach students at the MSU School of Law about internship possibilities.