Federal judge reprimanded for sexual affair with police officer in chambers

The Story

A federal judge within the 11th Judicial Circuit had an extramarital sexual relationship with a high-ranking police officer, including having sex in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff, according to a court investigation. The judge initially lied about the allegations but later recanted, and received a private reprimand, which was affirmed by the Judicial Conference of the United States. The judge remains on the bench.

Key Facts

• The Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit issued a private reprimand in February 2024; the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability affirmed it last week.
• The judge’s name and court location were not disclosed; The Associated Press could not confirm the judge’s identity.
• The investigation found the judge had sexual intercourse in chambers during business hours, attended a partisan political event, and initially called the allegations “outrageous” and denied them.
• The judge recanted false statements and admitted to the relationship with the officer but denied mistreatment of staff.
• The committee cited the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service,” ending the relationship, and commitment to avoiding partisan events as factors in the private reprimand.
• A law clerk reported the judge’s sexual activity; another alleged the judge did not properly supervise clerks and yelled at staff.
• The committee’s review of logs and security footage showed the officer frequently visited the judge’s chambers in uniform around lunchtime.
• Three clerks recalled hearing possible sexual activity; three remembered the judge declining lunch with interns because of too many martinis the night before at a district attorney’s victory party.
• Clerks described an “eggshell culture” but the committee found no evidence of abusive behavior.
• The judge agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks, not to accept chief judge position, and to refrain from Judicial Conference committee service.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified in the source article.

Still Unclear

• The judge’s name, specific court location, and the identity of the police officer are not disclosed in the source article.
• Whether any criminal or congressional action will follow is not stated.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

• The federal judge (name undisclosed) within the 11th Judicial Circuit.
• William Pryor, chief judge of the 11th Circuit.
• Lester Tate, a lawyer who often defends Georgia judges facing misconduct (quoted).
• Former law clerks (six specifically mentioned for apology letters).

Sources: abcnews.com