A newspaper says the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission is investigating reports a Macomb County probate judge mishandled cases and was absent from court too often.

The Detroit News says the investigation involves Judge Kathryn George. She was removed as the probate court's chief judge in January 2008 after steering a large number of conservator cases to a particular agency.

Chief Probate Judge Kenneth Sanborn confirms that tenure commission investigators are examining records of George's cases and attendance.

The newspaper says it was unable to reach George for comment. There's no listed telephone number for her, and the court was closed Friday. The Associated Press faxed a request for comment to the court.