Federal Judge in 11th Circuit Gets Private Reprimand for Affair with Officer

The Story

A federal judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit engaged in an extramarital sexual relationship with a high-ranking police officer, including having sex in the judge’s chambers within hearing distance of staff. A court investigation found that the judge initially denied the allegations but later recanted those false statements. The Judicial Council of the 11th Circuit issued a private reprimand, keeping the judge’s name and court location undisclosed. The committee cited the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service” and a strong propensity for rehabilitation in deciding against more severe punishment. The judge agreed to write apology letters to former law clerks and to refrain from seeking the chief judge position or serving on certain committees. Critics, including a lawyer who represents judges in misconduct cases, called the punishment a “slap on the wrist” given the false statements during the investigation.

Key Facts

• A federal judge in the 11th Judicial Circuit (covering Alabama, Florida, and Georgia) had an extramarital sexual relationship with a police officer, including intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours.
• The judge received a private reprimand, and the judge’s name and specific court location were not publicly disclosed.
• The judge initially denied the allegations but later recanted those false statements during the investigation.
• The Judicial Council of the 11th Circuit imposed the private reprimand in February 2026, and the decision was affirmed in May 2026.
• The judge agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks and not to accept the position of chief judge or serve on Judicial Conference committees.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified across sources.

Still Unclear

• The judge’s identity, court location, and the name of the police officer remain undisclosed (both sources).
• The genesis of the investigation was a law clerk’s report; this detail is only reported by ABC News (single-source claim).
• The judge attended a partisan political event for a district attorney; this detail is only reported by ABC News (single-source claim).
• Whether any staff members overheard sexual activity is disputed among clerks; ABC News reports three clerks recalled hearing possible activity but no direct confirmation (single-source claim).
• The duration of the investigation (whether it stretched 2.5 years) is only mentioned by Reason.com in reference to a separate Fifth Circuit case, not the current 11th Circuit matter (single-source claim).

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the sources.

Key Figures

• Chief Judge William Pryor of the 11th Circuit.
• The subject judge (name not disclosed).
• Lester Tate, a lawyer who defends Georgia judges in misconduct cases.

Sources: abcnews.com, reason.com