Gorcyca Apologizes for 'Frustration' in Custody Case

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI – Embattled Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca has apologized for a “display of frustration” in her handling of an acrimonious child custody case involving three minor Bloomfield Hills children that resulted in possible discipline.

Gorcyca made her apology in a response to the Judicial Tenure Commission’s two-count complaint against her, which noted the judge had “laughed at the children and was sarcastic;” that she “failed to act in a patient, dignified and courteous manner;” and that she made “significant misrepresentations of law and fact.”

In her response, Gorcyca said she “is aware this is not a laughing matter,” The Oakland Press reports.

The case sparked an international response after Gorcyca ordered the three children to Oakland County Children’s Village for refusing to have lunch with their estranged father. The oldest of the three was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Despite representations in media coverage to contrary, Gorcyca said in her response that she never compared the child to murderous cult leader Charles Manson.

Gorcyca also said in her response that she has taken the reunification of the children and their father “very seriously,” but also “would like nothing more than to see the children have a healthy relationship with both parents.”

While admitting that she was at time “exasperated and frustrated,” she asked the Judicial Tenure Commission to examine the full record of the long-running case and consider the context of her remarks.

Gorcyca denied misconduct in office or any significant misrepresentations of law, as the Judicial Tenure Commission had charged.

The Judicial Tenure Commission had also taken issue with Gorcyca for pointing a finger to her head and making a circular motion, a gesture widely interpreted to symbolize insanity.

Gorcyca claimed in the Judicial Tenure Commission’s initial inquiry into the handling of her case that she only meant to suggest the child would benefit from therapy, but the commission didn’t accept that explanation.

Upon reviewing the gesture on video of the proceedings, Gorcyca said she “realizes the symbolism and common interpretation behind the gesture” and said she had no specific recollection of making it, but didn’t intend to insult anyone.

Gorcyca also said her decision to hold the children in contempt of court and send them to Children’s Village wasn’t solely because they refused lunch with their father, but because of their “refusal to participate in parenting time and comply with the orders for parenting time.”

It’s unclear when retired Michigan Supreme Court Justice Daniel P. Ryan will hear the formal complaint.

Catch Up

• Judge Sends Kids to Detention for Refusing Lunch with Dad
• New Twist in Case of Kids Sent to Juvie for Refusing Lunch with Dad
• Dad Seeks Custody of Kids Sent to Detention for Refusing Lunch with Him
• New Attorneys Defend Mom Whose Kids Refused Lunch with Dad
• Kids Who Refused Lunch with Dad Now Living With Him
• Judge in Bitter Custody Dispute Could Recuse Herself
• More Twists Bloomfield Hills Custody Case
• Chief Judge Steps Out of Bitter Child Custody Case
• New Judge Finds No Bias in Bitter Custody Dispute
• Judge Who Cuffed Kids For Missing Lunch With Dad Faces Discipline
• Judge Who Cuffed Kids for Missing Lunch with Dad Disqualifies Herself
• Judge Gets More Time to Respond to Complaint
• 50 Attorneys Sign Statement Supporting Embattled Judge