On August 26, 2025, The Democrat reported that the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana is looking into potential disciplinary actions against Judge John Reeves of the Seventh Judicial District.
The probe involves an incident where Reeves allegedly took $100 in cash after signing legal papers, which may indicate misconduct. Reeves has been serving in Catahoula and Concordia parishes since January 2015.
The investigation began in September 2023 after an anonymous complaint. A hearing to decide on disciplinary measures was held on August 22, with the case expected to continue for months or years, according to Reeves’ lawyers.
Documents obtained by The Democrat via a public records request show that Reeves accepted the money after signing a Judgment of Possession, naming Tim Tomlinson as executor of Lea Tomlinson Ford’s estate. This granted Tomlinson most of the estate’s assets, including property and bank accounts.
Tomlinson, who knew Reeves personally, contacted him to sign the papers at the Concordia Parish Courthouse during lunchtime. Reeves had Julie Lipsey, a courthouse worker, stay to assist since he didn’t have his office key.
The petition, drafted by attorney Evans Dorroh from Jena and approved by all heirs, wasn’t filed or assigned to Reeves before he signed it. It was later filed in Catahoula Parish and allocated to him. The Judiciary Commission found no clear reason for Reeves to reject the document.
Lipsey said she didn’t see Reeves read the document before signing, though he insisted he did and initially refused the cash, planning to give it to a church.
Reeves’ attorneys, James E. Boren and Jacob Longman from Baton Rouge, offered no statement.
Possible penalties range from a private reprimand to removal, but no decision has been reached. Reeves was unavailable for comment due to a medical procedure.
Source: The Democrat
