On Thursday, February 22, 2024, The Rogersville Review reported that suspended Hawkins County Juvenile Judge Daniel Boyd has agreed to forego his salary for the past six months since being suspended from his position last year.
Judge Boyd, who was indicted in August 2023 on charges of bribery, forgery, and criminal simulation related to his private law practice, notified county officials last week that he would not accept any further pay during his ongoing suspension. He had been earning a monthly salary of nearly $17,000 from the county.
Boyd was suspended from his judicial role by the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct on August 16, 2023, one day after being served a sealed indictment. Since then, the county has been paying both Judge Boyd’s salary, as required by law until a resolution of his criminal case, as well as funding a temporary replacement judge appointed in September.
This dual financial obligation has cost Hawkins County taxpayers over $100,000 so far. By agreeing to halt his pay retroactively to February 16, 2024, Boyd aims to relieve some of the significant burden that the double salary arrangement has placed on the county budget. Local officials like County Mayor Mark DeWitte expressed appreciation for Boyd making this decision.
The charges against Boyd stem from alleged crimes that took place through his private law practice, including forging the signatures of two judges on a divorce decree in October 2022. He is also accused of attempting to bribe a witness during a disciplinary hearing in April 2023.
Judge Boyd is scheduled to appear in criminal court on February 29 for a status hearing update. His trial date to address the pending charges of forgery, bribery, and criminal simulation remains set for March 28, 2024.
Source: The Rogersville Review
