On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Reuters reported that a federal prosecutor in Alaska described feeling coerced into sending nude photographs to a federal judge who later resigned amid a sexual misconduct investigation. This revelation was detailed in court documents, marking a significant development in a case involving former U.S. District Judge Joshua Kindred.
The prosecutor, identified as Karen Vandergaw, claimed that Kindred exerted immense pressure on her, expressing that he possessed the ability to jeopardize both her career and personal life. This situation arose in the context of a broader investigation into Kindred’s conduct, which led to his resignation in July 2024 after accusations of fostering a hostile work environment and engaging in inappropriate relationships with law clerks.
The inquiry by the 9th Circuit Judicial Council uncovered that Kindred had inappropriate interactions with a former law clerk, which included sexual encounters after she began working for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Furthermore, the investigation revealed undisclosed conflicts of interest between Kindred and various lawyers, including Vandergaw, who reportedly sent him nude photographs.
These revelations prompted a federal judge to order a new trial for Rolando Hernandez-Zamora, a defendant whose conviction for cyberstalking was overturned due to the conflicts involving Kindred. The initial trial had been presided over by Kindred, and Hernandez-Zamora was re-convicted last month under different circumstances.
While court documents do not directly name Vandergaw in the context of Hernandez-Zamora’s case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed her identity in a separate case. Although Vandergaw was not part of the trial team for Hernandez-Zamora, she contributed to the prosecution’s efforts.
Vandergaw’s account of her interactions with Kindred was documented in letters submitted in February and August 2024. According to a newly unsealed court order, she initially described her relationship with him as strictly professional. However, following Kindred’s resignation, Vandergaw retracted her earlier statements, admitting that she had not been truthful about the nature of their relationship.
In her August letter, Vandergaw recounted how Kindred began soliciting nude photos from her, leveraging his political connections and suggesting he could assist her in securing a federal judgeship. She conveyed feelings of helplessness and stated that she felt compelled to comply with his requests, as he made it clear he had significant power over her career. “I felt trapped and believed I had no choice,” she wrote.
Source: Reuters
