On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Chatham County Probate Judge Thomas Bordeaux is facing 10 misconduct charges related to significant delays in handling numerous cases, some of which have been unresolved for more than seven years. The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) has formally lodged these charges with the Georgia Supreme Court, citing Bordeaux’s failure to perform his duties in a timely manner.

Judge Bordeaux, who has served as the probate judge since January 2017, acknowledged the embarrassment stemming from the delays but attributed some of the issues to a lack of sufficient support staff. He expressed that his thorough approach to ruling on cases has contributed to the prolonged timelines. “I’m probably far too much of a stickler for trying to get it done right, instead of trying to get it done quickly,” Bordeaux stated. He emphasized that his dedication to the job is not in question, but rather the ability to manage the workload effectively.

The JQC’s charges stem from Bordeaux’s handling of nine specific cases, with the most egregious example being a case that remained without a ruling for over seven years. According to JQC Director Courtney Veal, this conduct constitutes “willful misconduct in office” and represents a persistent failure to fulfill judicial responsibilities, ultimately damaging the reputation of the judicial system.

Bordeaux, who previously served as a state representative and chaired the House Judiciary Committee, faced prior warnings from the JQC regarding his case management in February and April of this year. Despite these warnings, he has not resolved some cases, including one dating back to 2016, which he inherited upon taking office.

In response to the growing backlog, Bordeaux noted that he has recently managed to convince county leaders to hire a staff attorney to assist him. However, that position was vacated shortly after being filled, leaving him to handle case hearings, legal research, and order drafting on his own. Bordeaux reported that he often works nights and weekends but struggles to keep up with the increasing caseload.

Chatham County, which has a population of approximately 300,000, relies on its probate court to manage a variety of legal matters, including wills, estate issues, and guardianship appointments. Bordeaux acknowledged that the court has seen an increase in cases year after year, which he feels has exacerbated the challenges he faces in issuing timely rulings.

Despite the difficulties, Bordeaux remarked on the progress made since he took office, citing improvements in the court’s operations. However, he admitted to shortcomings in meeting judicial timelines. Veal referenced several instances where Bordeaux failed to issue timely rulings, including a conservator awaiting approval on a case from October 2020.

Bordeaux described the state of the probate court when he assumed his role as “a mess,” partly due to issues surrounding the former clerk, Kim Birge, who was accused of embezzling approximately $1 million from court funds. He indicated that significant rebuilding efforts have been made since then, but he still requires additional support to manage the caseload effectively.

 

 

Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution