On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Injustice Watch reported that Cook County Judge E. Kenneth Wright Jr. is under investigation by the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board for allegedly claiming improper property tax exemptions outside his jurisdiction. This inquiry has brought to light additional ethical concerns regarding Wright’s property holdings and professional conduct.
Wright, 83, has been a prominent figure in the Cook County judiciary since his appointment as a judge in 1994. Previously, he had a solo law practice, primarily focused on estate matters. His rise to judicial prominence did not come without controversy, particularly regarding his residency status. The Illinois Constitution mandates that judges reside within the jurisdiction they serve, yet records show that Wright maintained a Joliet address for tax exemptions, which could disqualify him from his judicial position.
Injustice Watch’s investigation revealed that Wright has been claiming general and senior citizen homestead exemptions on a Joliet property since at least 2005 and 2018, respectively. This discrepancy was first uncovered during a routine background check for a judicial election guide, prompting leading bar associations to question his eligibility. Despite the scrutiny, Wright narrowly retained his position in a close retention vote.
Further examination of Wright’s real estate transactions has raised alarms about potential ethical violations. The investigation disclosed that Wright acquired four properties through the estates of former clients, sometimes acting as both executor and beneficiary. In two instances, his deceased clients had filed property tax appeals on properties owned by Wright, raising questions about the legality of these transactions, especially given that one appeal occurred over two decades after the client’s death.
Two families of Wright’s late clients have accused him of exploiting his professional relationship for personal gain. One allegation involves a close relationship with Lydia Adams, a prominent figure in the Black beauty culture who passed away in 1992. As her attorney and executor, Wright was granted an option to purchase her home at a significantly reduced price, purportedly in exchange for his legal services. However, there is no evidence that Wright actually paid the agreed amount.
The investigation also revealed that Wright charged Adams’ estate for legal services posthumously, which experts claim may constitute a breach of fiduciary duty. Illinois law prohibits estate attorneys from engaging in business transactions with their clients without court approval, and failure to disclose such relationships can lead to severe legal repercussions.
In another case, Wright maintained a close friendship with Elmer Scott, a former client who owned multiple properties until his death in 2006. Wright was said to have assured Scott that he would purchase the family home, but after Scott’s death, he did not assist the widow, Rose Scott, during foreclosure proceedings. Instead, Wright acquired the property himself for a fraction of its value shortly after the bank took possession.
Wright’s financial dealings continued to raise eyebrows after Scott’s death, with records showing that he filed property tax appeals in Scott’s name even after the latter had passed away. Wright has not disclosed these properties on his required annual ethics statements, leading to further questions about his compliance with ethical standards.
The scrutiny surrounding Wright’s conduct has prompted an internal review by bar associations regarding their evaluation processes for judicial candidates. While Wright was initially vetted by these groups during his candidacy, they acknowledged that their assessments focused primarily on courtroom conduct and did not encompass a thorough financial review.
Wright’s history in the legal community includes significant involvement with various legal organizations advocating for diversity in the judiciary. His appointment was part of a broader movement aimed at increasing representation within the Cook County court system, which had been predominantly white.
In response to the ongoing investigation, Wright has refrained from public comment and has not addressed the allegations posed by Injustice Watch.
Source: Injustice Watch
