- Following a hearing on a complaint filed by the Judicial Inquiry Board, the Illinois Courts Commission removed a judge from office for (1) making false and misleading statements to detectives investigating the discharge of a firearm in his apartment; (2) retaliating against 2 employees who filed sexual harassment allegations against him; and (3) during the disciplinary proceedings, providing testimony that contained misrepresentations, omissions, and deceptions. In re O’Shea, Order (Illinois Courts Commission September 27, 2019).
- Accepting an agreed statement of facts and recommendation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly censured a judge for presiding over more than 2,500 civil matters involving a credit union for which his brother was an officer and board member. In the Matter of DiMillo, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 1, 2019).
- The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct removed a part-time judge for, in a series of emails to his clients in a family court matter, repeatedly denigrating in profane, vulgar, and sexist terms his clients’ daughter and her former husband, opposing counsel, the referee in the case, and school officials. In the Matter of Senzer, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 9, 2019). The judge has requested review.
- Based on a stipulation, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly admonished a judge who, during a civil trial, threatened to file a professional grievance against the defendant’s attorney for making an offensive remark during his summation unless his client immediately offered to settle the case for $25,000. In the Matter of Edwards, Determination (New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 23, 2019).
- Agreeing with the findings and recommendation of the Board of Professional Conduct, the Ohio Supreme Court indefinitely suspended a former judge from the practice of law for (1) sexual misconduct, including sexually harassing his secretary and an intern; (2) misusing county resources and staff in his campaign for the court of appeals; and (3) his guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of failing to file accurate campaign statements. Disciplinary Counsel v. Horton (Ohio Supreme Court October 10, 2019).
- The Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline publicly reprimanded a former judge for (1) his conduct toward court clerks, including violations of the court policy prohibiting harassment in the workplace; (2) his demeanor towards lawyers, litigants, and police officers; (3) his treatment of 2 constables; and (4) his conduct toward witnesses for the Judicial Conduct Board. In re Hladio, Opinion (March 25, 2019), Opinion (Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline October 4, 2019).
- Based on a stipulated record, the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline publicly reprimanded a judge for, during his re-election campaign, publicly confronting 3 people who supported his opponent and yelling at them, insulting them, and threatening them; the Court also placed him on probation for 1 year with the condition that he submit to a psychological assessment. In re Maruszczak, Opinion (January 9, 2019), Opinion (Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline October 4, 2019).
- Agreeing with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, a Texas Special Court of Review publicly admonished a judge for authorizing the use of his name, title, and likeness on materials supporting a candidate for director of an electric cooperative. In re Oakley, Opinion (Texas Special Court of Review October 25, 2019).
- The Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct publicly reprimanded a judge for failing for 15 months to enter an order on competing motions to confirm or vacate an arbitration award, communicating ex parte with counsel and then temporarily staying a valid writ of execution based on concerns about its execution during a doctor’s office hours, and failing to respond to a letter of inquiry from the Commission. Public Reprimand of Slaughter (Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct October 11, 2019).
Judicial ethics and discipline 