ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge found themselves at the center of controversy following revelations of an affair with a senior police officer, which included encounters in the judge’s chambers that staff reportedly overheard. Despite initially denying the allegations, the judge remains in their position after receiving a “private reprimand,” according to a court system investigation.
The Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit, encompassing Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, issued the private reprimand in February. Last week, the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States upheld this decision.
The identity of the judge and their specific location within the 11th Circuit remains undisclosed, with The Associated Press unable to ascertain these details.
Though federal judges have lifetime appointments, they can face various disciplinary actions, such as censure, public or private reprimands, and temporary case reassignments. Removal from their position is only possible through Congressional impeachment.
The investigation revealed the judge and the unnamed officer engaged in “sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff” and attended a partisan political event. Initially, the judge dismissed these claims as “outrageous.”
In opting for a private reprimand, the committee considered the judge’s retraction of their false statements, the termination of the relationship, and the judge’s commitment to avoid future partisan events. The committee also recognized the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service to the court.”
“Although the special committee is deeply troubled by the conduct in which the judge engaged, the Subject Judge has demonstrated a strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary,” stated the committee’s report.
Lester Tate, an attorney who represents Georgia judges in misconduct cases, described the reprimand as a mere “slap on the wrist.”
“I’m shocked that there was not a more severe punishment for the false statements that were made by this judge during the course of the investigation,” he said, emphasizing the importance of honesty for those who hold lifetime judicial appointments.
The investigation began when one of the judge’s law clerks reported repeated sexual encounters between the judge and the officer in the judge’s office. It was also alleged the judge failed to supervise clerks properly and had an incident of yelling and cursing at staff.
William Pryor, chief judge of the 11th Circuit, requested a response from the judge regarding these allegations. The judge denied each claim the same day and later suggested the law clerk fabricated the accusations out of retaliation. Pryor then appointed a special committee for further investigation.
The committee’s examination of logs and security footage indicated frequent visits by the officer to the judge’s chambers around lunchtime. Six clerks identified someone matching the officer’s description, with three recalling overhearing possible sexual activity.
Three clerks also remembered an incident involving summer interns and the judge, who declined a lunch invitation, citing an overindulgence in martinis the prior night at a district attorney’s victory party.
Though clerks described a tense working environment, the committee found no evidence of abusive behavior. The judge admitted to the extramarital relationship but denied mistreating staff.
The judge agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks, declined to pursue the chief judge position when eligible, and committed not to serve on any Judicial Conference committee.
