Mich. Judge Recuses Himself from Hearing Fungal Meningitis Suits

DETROIT — About a dozen lawsuits filed in Michigan alleging injury caused by meningitis-contaminated steroid injections have been blindly reassigned after the presiding federal judge disqualified himself from hearing the cases.

Judge Sean F. Cox recused himself in a two-page order issued Dec. 14 that makes no mention of specific details contained in a recusal motion that questioned whether Judge Cox could remain impartial given that the judge’s brother once launched a criminal investigation into one of the attorneys who filed the cases.

Plaintiffs Lyn and Penny Laperriere said in an Oct. 29 motion to recuse Judge Cox that, while …