Atlanta Federal Judge Had Sex in Chambers With Police Officer, Lied, Court Investigation Finds

A federal judge in Atlanta had an extramarital affair with a high-ranking police officer, including having sex in the judge’s chambers that was overheard by staff, and the judge initially lied about the actions but remains on the bench after receiving a "private reprimand," according to an investigation by the court system.

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11Alive

The Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which includes Alabama, Florida and Georgia, said in a February order that the judge would receive a private reprimand, and the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States last week affirmed that order.

AJC

The investigation said the judge and the unidentified officer had "sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff," and it also said the judge went to a partisan political event.

The Associated Press reported that the judge’s name and court location within the 11th Circuit were not disclosed, and it said it was unable to confirm the judge’s identity.

Lester Tate, a lawyer who often defends Georgia judges facing misconduct in the state judicial system, said the punishment feels like a "slap on the wrist," and he said he was "shocked" there was not a more severe punishment for the judge’s false statements.

Tate also said he always advises clients that it is best to tell the truth, and he argued that a judge appointed for life needs to be honest about their own flaws.

Associated Press

The investigation described how the genesis for the case was one of the judge’s law clerks reporting the judge had engaged in sexual activity with an officer on multiple occasions in the judge’s office.

It also said William Pryor, chief judge of the 11th Circuit, asked the judge to respond to the allegations, and the judge replied the same day and "specifically denied" each allegation.

The court system’s committee said it took into account that the judge recanted the false statements, and it said the judge was unlikely to engage in similar misconduct in the future because the judge ended the relationship and committed to avoiding partisan political events in the future.

“Federal judge had sex in chambers with police officer and lied about it, investigation found ATLANTA (AP) — A federal judge had an extramarital affair with a high-ranking police officer — including having sex in the judge’s chambers that was overheard by staff — and initially lied about the actions but remains on the bench after receiving a “private reprimand,” according to an investigation by the court system”

Associated Press

The committee also said it took into account the judge’s "otherwise exemplary service to the court," while noting it was "deeply troubled" by the conduct.

As part of the outcome, the judge agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks, not to accept the position of chief judge of the district when eligible, and to refrain from serving on any Judicial Conference committee.

The investigation said the judge’s private reprimand kept the judge’s name secret, and it described how the committee’s report said the judge had demonstrated a "strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary."