On Friday, July 19, 2024, Muddy River News reported that former Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Adrian said he does not plan to respond to a complaint filed against him by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).
The ARDC complaint, filed on June 25, recommends that Adrian be disciplined for his conduct related to a 2021 criminal trial over which he presided. Adrian was served with the complaint on July 10 and has until July 31 to file a response. However, when asked by Muddy River News if he intends to respond, Adrian stated “It’s a waste of everybody’s time. They’re going after me.”
The complaint stems from Adrian’s ruling in the bench trial of Drew Clinton, who Adrian found guilty in October 2021 of felony criminal sexual assault. However, in January 2022 Adrian vacated Clinton’s conviction, resulting in his release from jail. The ARDC alleges Adrian made this highly unusual reversal in order to avoid imposing the mandatory minimum four-year prison sentence required under the law.
In his response, Adrian claimed the evidence did not support the original guilty verdict. However, the Judicial Inquiry Board and later the Illinois Courts Commission found Adrian’s testimony on this matter to be untruthful. Both bodies concluded Adrian had reversed the verdict with the intent of circumventing the mandatory sentence.
The ARDC complaint has three counts against Adrian. The first two allege he made false written and oral statements to the Judicial Inquiry Board regarding his reasons for overturning Clinton’s conviction. The third count claims Adrian provided false testimony under oath before the Illinois Courts Commission during its November 2023 removal hearing.
At that hearing, the Commission found “by clear and convincing evidence” that Adrian engaged in “willful misconduct” by giving untruthful testimony to the Board. As a result, the Commission removed Adrian from his post as Eighth Circuit judge.
However, the ARDC complaint notes Adrian is still subject to further discipline under Illinois Supreme Court rules if found to have violated ethical standards for attorneys. The ARDC seeks penalties ranging from censure to disbarment against Adrian’s law license.
The last two Illinois judges to be removed from office, Patrick O’Shea and Ronald Duebbert, each had their law licenses suspended for one year by the ARDC following removal. When asked if he still needs his law license since being removed, Adrian told Muddy River News he has retired and taken his name off the active attorney’s list.
Adrian maintains the ARDC complaint is “political and corrupt” and sees no point in responding.
Source: Muddy River News
