Federal Judge Reprimanded for Misconduct

A federal judge in the United States — Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit was found to have engaged in an extramarital affair with a police officer, including sexual activity in chambers during business hours, and initially lied about it. The misconduct was reported by a law clerk, leading William Pryor, chief judge of the 11th Circuit, to initiate an investigation. The judge also attended a partisan political event. Despite the findings, the judge received only a 'private reprimand' from the United States — Judicial Council of the 11th Judicial Circuit, which was affirmed by the United States — Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States. This decision has been criticized by Lester Tate and others as too lenient, especially given the judge's initial false statements. The judge has since admitted to the affair, recanted false statements, ended the relationship, and committed to avoiding future partisan political events.