On Tuesday, July 23, 2024, The Daily Record reported that ousted Prince George’s County Circuit Judge April T. Ademiluyi voluntarily dismissed the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities as a defendant in her federal lawsuit.
Judge Ademiluyi had amended her complaint in June to include the Commission as a party. However, she has now dropped all claims against the Commission without prejudice. The lawsuit still names Circuit Court Judges Sheila Tillerson Adams, DaNeeka Cotton, Michael Pearson, and Anne Albright, the Commission’s chair, as defendants.
Judge Ademiluyi alleges that the defendant judges retaliated against her for filing complaints with the Commission against Judges Adams and Cotton. She is seeking a declaration that the defendants unlawfully charged her with sanctionable misconduct in retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights to file complaints.
The lawsuit brings three counts of alleged First Amendment retaliation. However, Rachel Stewart, counsel for the Commission and Judge Albright, indicated in a court filing that Judge Albright intends to file a motion to dismiss. Stewart argued that the court lacks jurisdiction as Judge Ademiluyi no longer has standing since being removed from the bench. Stewart also said Judge Ademiluyi’s claims are moot due to the Maryland Supreme Court’s decision and that her acts of reporting alleged unethical conduct were not protected speech.
Judge Ademiluyi joined the Prince George’s County Circuit Court in 2020 after winning the Democratic primary election. The Commission filed its first charges against her in July 2023 concerning allegations of refusing training, showing bias, and antagonizing colleagues and staff. In May 2024, the Maryland Supreme Court removed her from the bench based on the Commission’s findings and recommendation.
Source: The Daily Record
