A judge in Owensboro, Kentucky was accused of misusing her position to influence a criminal case involving her adult son and was ordered to leave the bench.
The Judiciary Commission, which handles allegations of illegal activity by Kentucky judges, voted 6-0 to dismiss Judge Julie Hoes Gordon, a family court judge in Daviess County.
After three days of hearing earlier this month, the panel said, “Extensive and repetitive,” Gordon “exercises inappropriate influence for her own interests and for her son’s interests in his numerous criminal cases.” I found that it showed a “pattern”. Order 25 pages Signed on Friday by Chairman Carol M. “Trip” Redford, III.
The panel found that she used “very poor judgment” and engaged in “very unwise behavior that lasted for years on and off the bench.”
Unless Gordon appeals, the order to remove her will take effect in 10 days.
Gordon was elected the first Family Court Judge of the Daveys Circuit Court in 2016. She had been suspended for a fee since December after the Commission described a “series of complaints” that came to light this year as well.
“Allegations of illegal activity against Judge Gordon submitted to the Commission through complaints include obstruction of justice, abuse and abuse of power, destruction of evidence, and various misconduct, prejudice, and improper use of influence as a judiciary. , Retribution, and lack of openness to the relevant courts, “said the Commission’s order.
The panel said Gordon “acknowledged much of her misconduct” in a written communication with the Commission. They described her decision to remove her as “tragic but necessary.”
According to the order, Gordon “destroyed evidence and obstructed justice” when he “cleaned up” the content of his 24-year-old son Dalton Gordon’s social media accounts and cell phones to protect him after his arrest. I took it. “
She contacted the judge assigned to his case and the county lawyer in an attempt to influence the bond decision in his case. She took advantage of her influence in prison to make a special visit with him. I was allowed to have it.
The panel said Gordon “created a conflict of interest for her son’s legal representative in his criminal affairs by a lawyer who regularly appears before her in family court matters,” she said. Did not disclose those conflicts or reject himself in cases involving them.
“She bullied and threatened Cabinet workers when she disagreed with how to implement JDNA (boy addiction, neglect, abuse) issues, or when she expressed opposition to her actions and decisions. The workers defended and pushed back the usual movement practices in her court, “the commission said.
Gordon sought to fine an employee of the Health and Family Services Cabinet to submit a report late. Only after the Cabinet appealed some of these orders did she set them aside, thus avoiding a reversal, “her order said.
She also had “arbitrary reasons” to remove the lawyer or threaten to remove the lawyer from her guardian’s ad light list, the order said. Parental adlites are appointed by the court to represent the interests of the child in legal proceedings.
“There is no doubt that she has disrespected the integrity and respect of the judiciary in Daviess County, and that her improper behavior violates the Cannon of the Code of Justice,” the order to remove her said. rice field. “Undoubtedly, the integrity and respect of federal justice has been adversely affected by Judge Gordon’s misconduct, especially in the light of her retaliation against the Cabinet and its workers. The judge took advantage of her judicial position to meet her personal desires, terribly malicious acts, and acts rarely explained by a sitting judge. “
In November, her lawyer told a Herald Leader reporter: Gordon denied “flirtatious claims” Against her.