JUDGE IS IN REHAB AFTER SMOKING POT

Gilbert Enters 4-Week Alcohol Abuse Program

TRAVERSE CITY -- A judge who acknowledged smoking marijuana at a Rolling
Stones concert will enter a 28-day program for alcohol abuse.

District Judge Thomas Gilbert has been on voluntary leave since Nov. 6, two
days after admitting to Chief Judge Michael Haley and Judge Thomas Phillips
that he smoked marijuana at the Oct. 12 concert at Ford Field in downtown
Detroit.

Haley said Gilbert decided to enter the program on the advice of a licensed
alcohol treatment counselor who evaluated him.

Haley said an unidentified Elk Rapids woman told him she saw Gilbert, 45,
smoke a marijuana cigarette as it was passed along a row of people at the
concert. Gilbert later issued a statement apologizing for "this error in
judgment."

Haley has said alcohol may have contributed to Gilbert's decision to take
two puffs from the cigarette.

Gilbert will be on leave at least until Dec. 16 while enrolled in the
out-of-state rehabilitation program.