On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana recommended that Judge John C. Reeves of the Seventh Judicial District Court be suspended without pay for thirty days after an investigation into his conduct. The recommendation stems from an incident in June 2023, where Judge Reeves accepted a $100 bill from a litigant after signing a judgment of possession related to the litigant’s mother’s estate.
The Commission’s findings, detailed in a report, conclude that Judge Reeves’ actions violated several canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct and Article V, Section 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution. These violations include failing to uphold the integrity and independence of the judiciary, creating an appearance of impropriety, and engaging in willful misconduct related to his official duty.
According to the Commission’s report, the incident occurred on June 2, 2023, when Tim Tomlinson, whom Judge Reeves knew from the community, contacted the judge and asked him to sign some documents. Judge Reeves, who was near the Concordia Parish courthouse at the time, arranged to meet Tomlinson there. Tomlinson presented Judge Reeves with a “Petition for Probate of Notarial or Statutory Will and for Possession” and requested he sign a Judgment of Possession in the Succession of Alpha Lea Tomlinson Ford. The judgment had not been officially filed with the Clerk of Court nor allotted to Judge Reeves’ division at the time of signing.
After Judge Reeves signed the Judgment of Possession, Tomlinson gave him a folded $100 bill, suggesting he use it to take his family to lunch. While Judge Reeves initially stated he refused the money multiple times before accepting it with the intention of donating it to his church, testimony from Julie Lindsey, a judicial assistant, contradicted this claim.
The Commission found that even though the petition appeared to warrant the requested judgment of possession and the money was not explicitly exchanged for the ruling, Judge Reeves’ acceptance of the money created a perception of impropriety. This action, according to the Commission, perpetuated negative stereotypes about the accessibility and influence within the justice system.
The Commission also addressed concerns that Judge Reeves did not thoroughly review the documents before signing them, further contributing to the appearance of impropriety. While Judge Reeves asserted he read through the document, the testimony of witnesses suggested otherwise.
Judge Reeves cooperated with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) during the investigation and stipulated to the factual allegations in the Notice of Hearing, as well as conclusions of law stating his conduct violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution.
In addition to the suspension, the Judiciary Commission recommended that Judge Reeves be ordered to reimburse the commission $3,121.53 to cover the costs of the investigation.
The Supreme Court of Louisiana will now review the Judiciary Commission’s recommendation and determine the appropriate disciplinary action.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
