On Monday, March 24, 2025, News 9 reported that an Oklahoma County district judge faced a private reprimand from the state Supreme Court following allegations of judicial misconduct. The reprimand came nine months after Sheriff Tommie Johnson lodged a formal complaint against Judge Amy Palumbo in April 2024, triggering an investigation.
According to documents obtained by News 9 through an open records request, the sheriff accused the judge of mistreating his deputies and orchestrating a plan to have him arrested. The sheriff claimed that Judge Palumbo’s actions were intended to publicly humiliate him, potentially by having him escorted out of her courtroom in handcuffs for the media to capture.
The events leading to the complaint unfolded on April 17, 2024, when four deputies provided sworn statements detailing an incident with Judge Palumbo. They alleged she grew frustrated with the noise levels outside her courtroom and voiced concerns about courthouse security. The deputies reported that the judge raised her voice and scolded them harshly, leaving one deputy feeling disrespected and embarrassed by her sharp reaction.
Following this encounter, Sheriff Johnson received a text message from Judge Palumbo summoning him to appear before her. At the time, he was not in court and sought guidance from Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond. Johnson later discovered that several individuals, including media representatives from News 9, had been invited to the courtroom, where he believed the judge intended to hold him in contempt. He expressed confusion and distress over the possibility of being jailed without cause.
After consulting with the attorney general, who reportedly agreed that the judge’s actions were inappropriate, Johnson filed his complaint against Palumbo days later. In January 2025, Chief Justice Dustin Rowe sent a letter to the sheriff confirming that a private reprimand had been issued to Judge Palumbo, though privacy laws prevented the release of specific details.
Sheriff Johnson emphasized the need for greater transparency and accountability in the judicial system, arguing that no one should face punishment without due process. Judge Palumbo did not provide a response to News 9’s request for comment. The sheriff noted that, with an election approaching, an arrest could have significantly impacted his career, regardless of its legitimacy.
Source: News 9
