On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the Chicago Tribune reported that Lake County Judge Calvin Hawkins has been suspended for 30 days due to allegations of sexually harassing court employees. The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications announced the decision after a 3 to 2 vote, with Chief Justice Loretta Rush and Justice Christopher Goff dissenting. They argued for Hawkins’ removal from the bench, citing his repeated acts of harassment.
The suspension will take effect from March 31 to April 30, 2025. In addition to the suspension, Hawkins is required to complete sexual harassment training through the National Center for State Courts. The commission described the suspension as a severe and necessary sanction, highlighting the seriousness of the misconduct.
Multiple women have accused Hawkins of inappropriate behavior. One incident reported involved a female staff member in Hammond, who stated that Hawkins rubbed her shoulder and stared at her chest during their introduction. Another staffer recounted an encounter where Hawkins made a sexual reference while she was kneeling to fix recording equipment, suggesting that his gaze was inappropriate.
Additionally, investigators revealed that Hawkins had hugged and kissed another female staff member last year. He later testified that these gestures were intended as friendly, insisting he was simply a “hugger.” In his deposition, he acknowledged the potential negative effects of his actions but seemed to downplay their significance, suggesting that individuals should not overreact to such behaviors.
Judge Hawkins was appointed to the bench in 2007 by Governor Mitch Daniels, following the death of Judge Robert A. Pete. In February 2023, he was briefly honored by U.S. Representative Frank Mrvan on the House floor for his contributions to civil rights and his educational initiatives.
Source: Chicago Tribune
