On Monday, February 17, 2025, the Bangor Daily News reported that the Maine bar publicly admonished but did not formally discipline former Bangor judge Charles F. Budd Jr. for making unwelcome advances toward two female colleagues during a 2022 work conference. The Maine Board of Overseers of the Bar’s decision, made on Friday, allows Budd to retain his law license despite the findings against him.

Budd, who previously presided over the Penobscot County Adult Drug Treatment Court, faced disciplinary proceedings initiated by the bar after a sexual harassment lawsuit was filed against him in late 2022. This lawsuit was brought forth by a former counselor from the treatment court and the district attorney for four midcoast counties, alleging that Budd made inappropriate comments toward them during the National Association of Drug Court Professionals conference in Nashville, Tennessee, in July 2022.

Although a judge dismissed the lawsuit in mid-2023, the bar’s grievance commission found evidence of misconduct during three hearings held in October and November. The commission concluded that Budd’s conduct was “prejudicial to the administration of justice,” undermining public confidence in the fairness of the court system.

Despite this finding, the overseers characterized Budd’s behavior as “minor misconduct,” asserting that it caused minimal harm to the legal system and was unlikely to recur, given that he is no longer a judge. Budd had been appointed to the bench in 2015 by former Governor Paul LePage and was placed on administrative leave following the lawsuit. He did not seek re-nomination in 2023.

Members of the grievance commission, David R. Dubord and Malcolm Dow, noted in their decision that Budd’s comments and actions were inappropriate and demonstrated a lack of consideration for their potential impact on others and the judicial system. They stated that the admonition serves as a public sanction, signaling that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Budd’s attorney, Melissa Hewey, did not respond immediately regarding any plans to appeal the admonition. Throughout the proceedings, Budd maintained that his comments were not inappropriate, claiming he was merely trying to connect with his colleagues in a social context.

The commission’s report detailed specific incidents during the Nashville conference, including Budd following drug court counselor Samantha Pike to her hotel room after a night out and discussing personal matters over drinks, which led to Pike feeling uncomfortable. On another occasion, Budd called Pike into his chambers after returning to Maine, expressing thoughts about their Nashville interactions and suggesting he would be making changes in his personal life, further distressing her.

Additionally, the commission found that Budd made a suggestive remark to Natasha Irving, the district attorney, when they were introduced at the conference, suggesting she could stay in his hotel room, prompting intervention from another judicial branch employee.

According to the commission, as a sitting judge, Budd was expected to uphold public confidence in the judicial system and avoid any conduct that could compromise that image. They expressed concern about his behavior towards Pike, particularly given her role in the judicial system and the potential influence Budd held over her clients.

Despite the seriousness of the findings, the bar determined there was insufficient evidence to conclude that Budd violated specific harassment and discrimination rules that apply to conduct related to the practice of law. The commission noted that Budd’s actions at the conference, while inappropriate, did not occur in a context that would warrant harsher penalties.

In weighing the appropriate sanction, the commission considered various disciplinary options, from public reprimands to revocation of Budd’s law license. Ultimately, they decided on the least severe punishment, emphasizing that admonitions are suitable only in cases of minor misconduct that result in little harm and where the likelihood of recurrence is low.

 

 

Source: Bangor Daily News