On Monday, August 26, 2024, Reuters reported that former United States bankruptcy judge David Jones would have to face questioning regarding his past romantic relationship with attorney Elizabeth Freeman and whether it impacted any rulings in cases involving her former law firm.
Chief Bankruptcy Judge Eduardo Rodriguez of the Southern District of Texas ruled that Jones could be questioned under his supervision by the law firm Jackson Walker and the United States Trustee program. Both parties want to ask Jones about details of his relationship with Freeman, including when it began and when they began living together. They also want to know if any rulings in cases involving Jackson Walker during Jones’ time on the bench showed potential bias in the firm’s favor due to the romance.
Jones resigned from his post as a bankruptcy judge in Houston last October after confirming he lived with Freeman, which violated judicial conduct policies prohibiting relationships that could pose conflicts of interest. Since then, the U.S. Trustee has been attempting to force Jackson Walker to return millions of dollars in legal fees approved by Jones in 35 bankruptcy cases the firm handled. Judge Rodriguez is overseeing that ongoing litigation as well.
During a hearing earlier in August, Jones acknowledged he was under criminal investigation for his actions. Judge Rodriguez had also sanctioned Jones that month for providing testimony about his time as a judge without getting permission first, as policies typically require judges not to discuss official acts without authorization.
Jones and Freeman have not commented on the new ruling that will see Jones questioned under oath about the romance. If any bias is found, it could influence the dispute over Jackson Walker’s approved fees. The law firm and U.S. Trustee declined to comment, while Freeman’s attorney and Jones’ lawyer also had no statement.
Source: Reuters
