LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Lana Theis, Rep. Hank Vaupel and Rep. Ann Bollin issued the following statements on Thursday after the Michigan Supreme Court announced the immediate suspension of Judge Theresa Brennan without also suspending her pay.

“I appreciate the state Supreme Court has chosen to suspend Theresa Brennan,” said Theis, R-Brighton. “Suspending Brennan for her appalling and allegedly felonious behavior is a necessary step in this drawn-out, sad saga. However, I cannot understand — and with all that has happened, at this point I am extremely disappointed — why the court chose not also to suspend her salary and benefits. Week after week, Brennan banks her salary and benefits on the backs of Livingston County taxpayers while others do her work, costing the taxpayers even more. This is simply unacceptable.

“Today I reiterate my call for Theresa Brennan to resign or for the court to remove her from the bench. Furthermore, she should be forced to repay the residents of Livingston County who are bearing the cost of this circus and rightfully are extremely upset and frustrated.

“The sooner we can put an end to this mess, the better it will be for the residents and the courts in Livingston County.”

Reps. Vaupel and Bollin echoed Theis’ sentiments.

“I am terribly disappointed that the Supreme Court would rule to pay a judge that has been relieved of her caseload,” said Vaupel, R-Fowlerville. “The people of Livingston County are fed up with paying a suspended judge and also paying for the visiting judge that is hearing her cases.”

“I’m disappointed with the decision to suspend Judge Theresa Brennan with pay,” said Bollin, R-Brighton. “Judge Brennan still has the opportunity to do the right thing and resign. This situation has gone on long enough and the taxpayers deserve a just ending. It’s time for Judge Brennan to move on.”