On Friday, May 22, 2026, the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States affirmed a judicial council’s order finding a federal judge guilty of misconduct. The decision stems from a complaint initially identified on September 30, 2025, by the Chief Circuit Judge of the Eleventh Circuit, based on a memorandum from the Chief District Judge.
The core of the misconduct allegations, as detailed in the memorandum, originated from a law clerk’s report. The clerk alleged that the subject judge engaged in an extramarital affair with a high-ranking law enforcement officer, including sexual activity within the judge’s chambers during business hours, audible to staff. Further accusations included a failure to mentor law clerks, displaying anger, yelling, and cursing at them, and an on-record comment about consuming “too many martinis the night before” at a District Attorney event.
The subject judge, when initially notified, denied all allegations, characterizing them as “outrageous” and “baseless,” and suggested the law clerk’s claims were retaliatory due to performance criticisms.
A special committee was appointed to investigate, conducting a thorough review that involved interviewing former law clerks, examining documents, emails, text messages, security footage, and even performing forensic testing on a couch cushion in the judge’s chambers. This investigation aimed to verify the presence of the law enforcement officer and the possibility of audible sounds from chambers.
The special committee’s report, issued on December 10, 2025, found the subject judge engaged in judicial misconduct on three fronts: the extramarital affair and sexual activity in chambers, attendance at a partisan political event, and making false statements during the investigation.
The extramarital affair, which lasted approximately two years, raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as the police department involved was frequently litigated in the district. While no direct case presided over by the judge involved the officer or department, the committee found this was due to happenstance, not mitigation efforts. The conduct was described as demonstrating “a gross lack of judgment” and creating an uncomfortable environment for staff, also making the judge vulnerable to extortion.
Regarding the partisan political event, the judge attended an event hosted by a district attorney’s campaign, which violated Canon 5 of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, prohibiting political activity. Although the judge claimed attendance was for reuniting with colleagues and no political engagement occurred, the event’s purpose was to promote the campaign.
The most serious finding related to the false statements made to the Chief Circuit Judge and Chief District Judge. The judge initially denied sexual intercourse in the courthouse and denied knowing who the allegation concerned, which the committee deemed a violation of JC&D Rules for failing to cooperate with the investigation and attempting to conceal misconduct. While the judge later recanted these statements, the committee noted this did not absolve liability, as considerable time and resources had already been expended.
On February 11, 2026, the Judicial Council adopted the special committee’s findings and recommended sanctions, including a private reprimand, letters of apology to former law clerks, foregoing service as chief judge, and indefinite refraining from serving on Judicial Conference committees. The committee considered a more severe sanction but ultimately opted for a private reprimand, citing the judge’s correction of false statements, subsequent candor, unlikelihood of future misconduct, and otherwise exemplary service.
The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability, in its review, found no error of law or abuse of discretion and affirmed the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Council’s order.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
