On Friday, June 5, 2026, Nola.com reported that Louisiana Judge John Reeves of the 7th Judicial District Court is facing four new ethics charges, following a previous 20-day suspension by the Louisiana Supreme Court for accepting a “$100 handshake.” The recent allegations, brought forth by the Louisiana Judiciary Commission in early March, detail a pattern of alleged ethical lapses that occurred in 2021 and 2024.
One of the new charges stems from 2024, when Reeves allegedly authorized two court staff members to obtain commissions as reserve sheriff’s deputies in Catahoula Parish. This action was reportedly intended to allow them to carry concealed weapons in the courthouse for their safety. However, these badges were quickly rescinded after a defense attorney sought to recuse Reeves, citing an appearance of bias towards law enforcement.
The Judiciary Commission also accuses Reeves of violating ethical rules in 2021. In one instance, he is alleged to have ordered a deputy to pick up a child involved in a contentious custody dispute and deliver the boy to his terminally ill grandfather. The grandfather was a former high school classmate and football teammate of Reeves. Reeves reportedly informed the lawyers involved only after the fact.
The boy’s mother subsequently filed a complaint, and Reeves later recused himself from the case. When questioned by the mother’s attorney, Clinton Andrew Magoun, about the visitation order, Reeves confirmed he had issued it on his own motion.
Further accusations include an alleged illegal verbal order in 2024 for a home search, issued over the phone by Reeves. Another charge details Reeves signing arrest and search warrants for a “longtime personal friend” and their property before recusing himself from the case.
Reeves, through an assistant, declined to comment on the latest allegations, citing judicial canons that prohibit such remarks.
The Judiciary Commission has scheduled a hearing for August to address these new charges. Formal misconduct charges against judges are typically made public after they are filed and a response period has passed. Court records indicate Reeves did not file a response to the most recent allegations.
According to attorney Steve Scheckman, former special counsel to the commission, the Louisiana Supreme Court justices were likely unaware of these additional allegations when they issued the 20-day suspension on May 1. Scheckman noted that it would have been unfair to consider unproven allegations prematurely, as this could be highly prejudicial to the judge.
In the previous misconduct case, the Supreme Court’s discipline was less severe than the 30-day unpaid suspension recommended by the commission. Reeves was also ordered to pay $3,100 in commission costs. He had admitted to accepting $100 from a resident at the Concordia Parish courthouse in June 2023, while they were meeting to sign a will probate petition. Reeves initially refused the money, but accepted it when the man insisted it was for “lunch.”
The incident was reported by another judge’s assistant. Reeves acknowledged that he knew the action was wrong and told the commission he intended to donate the money to his church, though he did not increase his usual tithe.
The commission noted that Reeves agreed he created the perception that “a little bit of grease on the wheels will make them turn smoother,” which undermines the judiciary’s image. Chief Justice John Weimer, in his written opinion, had favored a less severe punishment for Reeves, viewing the $100 handshake as an “isolated and unfortunate, one-time incident.”
Source: Nola.com
