A national judicial panel has upheld the private reprimand of a U.S. federal judge who was accused of having an affair with a high-ranking police officer. The judge, whose identity remains undisclosed, was found to have engaged in sexual activity with the officer inside chambers during business hours, within earshot of courthouse staff. The judge also made false statements about the affair.
Judicial Conference Decision
The Judicial Conference of the United States Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability affirmed the February ruling by the Atlanta-based 11th Circuit Judicial Council on Friday. The decision detailed the disciplinary measures imposed on the judge, which include a private reprimand. Additionally, the judge agreed to forgo any future opportunity to serve as chief judge of the court, the location of which has not been publicly disclosed.
The judge also consented to apologize to any court staff members who were interviewed during the investigation and to indefinitely refrain from serving on any Judicial Conference committee, according to the panel's decision.
Allegations and Investigation
The allegations first surfaced last year when a law clerk reported multiple instances of the judge engaging in sexual activity with a police officer during business hours. The clerk also alleged that the judge had told staff about having consumed too many martinis the night before at an event for a district attorney.
In its February ruling, the 11th Circuit explained that it chose not to impose a harsher sanction because the judge demonstrated a strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary.
Admission of Guilt
In October 2025, the judge initially denied the claims but later retracted those statements and admitted to the affair, which had been ongoing for two years, according to the 11th Circuit's decision.
The investigation also revealed that the judge violated the Judicial Code of Conduct by attending a partisan event hosted by a district attorney's campaign.
