Judge Ludington: 1-Year Leave for Alcohol Treatment

When we last caught up with Judge Thomas L. Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan, his drunken-driving escapade had ended with a no contest plea and probation, but he still had a judicial misconduct complaint hanging over his head. That matter has now been resolved, and the judge will remain off the bench for another year, on paid leave. As reported by Bloomberg Law , Ludington has agreed to undergo treatment for alcohol use disorder and submit to regular testing while on leave through September 1, 2027. He’ll continue to collect his nearly $250,000 annual salary during his treatment. If he resumes hearing cases, he must first take senior status and show through alcohol testing that he’s capable of returning to the bench. He’ll also undergo regular and random alcohol testing. Readers may recall the details that made this case so difficult to forget: After an October 2025 crash, Ludington registered a 0.27 blood-alcohol level and answered a request to recite the alphabet with “A, B, C, D, F, U.” His arrest did not become public until months later. The judge stepped away from the bench in February, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge in April, and was sentenced to probation in May. goLateral is a quiet window into what's actually out there. Joining takes two minutes, costs nothing, pays you $100, and stays completely confidential.