On Monday, July 22, 2024, the Central Oregon Daily News reported that Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Bethany Flint agreed to be censured for inappropriately intervening in two cases that involved her personal friends.
According to documents filed with the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability, the first incident occurred in September 2020 when Judge Flint consulted with a friend seeking a restraining order and vouched for their credibility to the issuing judge after attending a hearing. Judge Flint also later complained to the county’s presiding judge about the tone of the issuing judge during the hearing.
The second incident took place in October 2022 after Judge Flint received a call informing her that 70-year-old Leonard Raymond Peverieri had died at a home near Bend and that police would be questioning Peverieri’s spouse, who was a friend of Judge Flint. The documents state that Judge Flint entered the home while law enforcement was inside and intervened in their conversation with her friend more than once. When the friend indicated they wanted a lawyer, Judge Flint ended the questioning and told detectives an attorney needed to be present.
Judge Flint reported both incidents to the county’s presiding judge and the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability. The Commission determined Judge Flint’s actions violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, including the rule prohibiting judges from using their position for personal advantage. Judge Flint consented to the censure signed by Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, who chairs the Commission.
While Judge Flint and the Commission have agreed to the censure, it still requires approval from the Oregon Supreme Court.
Source: Central Oregon Daily News
