According to the book Profiles in Corruption by Peter Schweitzer, when Vice President Kamala Harris served as the San Francisco District Attorney, she used her position of power to trade political favors. “The blind eye to priest sexual abuse was just part of a pattern of favoritism that has permeated Harris’s career as a prosecutor. Though not as dramatic as the sexual crimes, there were numerous instances where she was apparently prepared to look the other way to protect politically connected insiders. Her actions represent the ultimate form of leveraging power in the criminal justice realm – deciding not to pursue criminal charges.” (p. 30) In recent years we have learned our country’s justice system lacks righteousness, especially in big cities, as the campaigns of some elected judicial officials have been financed in exchange for selective enforcement of established law.
As a long-time resident of Ottawa County, I have always believed our local court system to be just, but recently six individuals spotlighted problems within the Ottawa County justice system. Two individuals even claimed the Ottawa County justice system is one of the worst in the country. During the May 28, 2024, Ottawa County Board of Commissioner meeting, these speakers made bold claims of corruption, called out individuals, and then requested an independent investigation.
Local resident, Chera Rizk, spoke about her experience with the Ottawa County Family Court. (14:37) Rizk explained that the court forced her daughter to be cared for by her father who was abusive to both her and her daughter. Rizk and her daughter were not able to free themselves from the abuse until her ex-husband passed away. Rizk stated, “The Family Court system of Ottawa County was a great ally to my abuser. [] It [family court system] was a hell-scape of encountering another form of systemic abuse, on top of abuse while trying to flee my abuser.” She then referred to a book on domestic violence entitled, “Why does he do that?” by Abuse Expert Lundy Bancroft and stated, “Lundy himself and others who have experienced the specific system in Ottawa County, say it is one of the most corrupt and unjust systems found in the entire United States.”
Another resident, Sughnen Yongo, who recently went through a custody battle in the Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court Family Division made claims of judicial bias and court misconduct. (18:05) She stated the judge “frequently interrupted my cross examination, dismissed my arguments, and exhibited preferential treatment towards the opposing party.” Adding, “court officers have gone to great lengths to protect him [her ex-husband] and to punish me.” Yongo listed individuals involved in the legal system who “played a role” in her negative experience, and said, “I do plan to appeal, but finding legal representation is nearly impossible as nobody wants to challenge the judge.” She finished by asking Ottawa County Commissioners to “look into this situation.”
Wendy Miller was murdered two weeks after her daughter turned 18. Geralyn Morris, a resident of Wayne County, read a statement for Wendy Miller, believing she was failed by the Ottawa County court system. (1:16:50) Morris explained that Miller had been jailed for protecting her daughter from continued sexual abuse by her father. Morris named two different judges she claimed quashed evidence. She also named a third judge with whom she claimed the case was discussed, and this judge happened to be an elder at the same church in which the alleged abuser served as Associate Pastor. Morris finished her public comment stating, “It’s time to put a stop to the collusion in Ottawa County before anyone else is harmed. Please open a full investigation into this county’s appearance of illegal activity.”
Ann Maguire, a former resident of Park Township and estranged sister of an Ottawa County judge, spoke about her experience with the Ottawa County Family Court system. (1:21:30) Maguire explained that she had been involved in a custody battle with her physically abusive husband who frequently used threats involving guns, knives, ropes and drugs. Despite four personal protection orders (PPO’s), the judge “refused to consider the evidence of the PPO’s, and adult and minor children’s testimony, and ordered the 15 and 17-year-olds to unsupervised time at their father’s house.” When the children refused to get into a car with their father, their mother was sent to jail. Eventually, the father lost privileges,” because he admitted on the stand to domestic violence and suicide threats.” The two judges involved in her case “admitted on the record to talking about my case with my brother.” Maguire ended her public comment “asking this county to look into this family court system.”
Gina Fischer, a former resident of Park Township spoke about her experience with the Ottawa County family court system and her work as president of the Wings for Justice organization. (1:24:54) “We advocate for women and children, helping them learn how to protect their Constitutional rights while navigating a very corrupt family court system.” When Fischer tried to stop her ex-husband from drinking and driving with their children, an investigation was launched against her. Speaking of trends in the family court system Fischer stated, “We are seeing the same players from the same agencies over and over, always flipping-the-script on the domestic violence survivors and forcing the children to live with their abusers.”
Fischer then spoke extensively about “Fountain Hill, which is also called the Men’s Resource Center of West Michigan. It’s a so-called reunification therapy center that uses threat therapy on protective parents and their children, and places children with their abusers. This is a non-profit that brings in over $1.5 million in fees generated every year. There have been multiple complaints made against Fountain Hill therapists []. Because of the reach of Ottawa County, these complaints don’t usually go anywhere, or even get acknowledged by the state.”
Fischer ended her public comment with the following statements. “After advocating with hundreds of cases the last ten years across the country, Ottawa County remains one of the worst counties in the nation, and a hotbed for child trafficking. [] Please help us remove this racketeering ring. [] By coming out against such powerful people, we are now putting ourselves in harm’s way. Dozens of other protective mothers wish they could come forward but face losing even more time with their children, and are terrified into silence and compliance. Ann and I are not suicidal. Nor are we prone to accidents.”
Melissa Dejony read a statement for an Ottawa County resident who had recently lost custody of her children and wished to remain anonymous. (1:28:00) Dejony explained that custody of the children was given to the paternal grandparents who were mentally and physically abusive. After describing relationships between key individuals involved in the case with spouses of other key individuals, Dejony made a request. “It is time that the Ottawa County Family Court is held accountable for collusion and racketeering after harming hundreds and hundreds of children. Please launch a full investigation with an outside source not connected with these individuals.”
These are very serious allegations against specific individuals, organizations, and the Ottawa County family court system. I have been stunned learning about nationwide corruption in the justice system, and find it even more shocking that it could possibly be so close to home. I hope our commissioners investigate these claims.