A federal judge in the Eleventh Circuit has been disciplined for engaging in an extramarital affair with a law enforcement officer inside the judge's chambers while staff worked nearby. The judge, whose identity remains undisclosed, admitted to the misconduct after initially denying the allegations. The incident, which spanned roughly two years, was reported by multiple clerks who overheard sounds consistent with sexual activity. The judge's actions were deemed a 'gross lack of judgment' by a judicial misconduct panel, which also noted potential conflicts of interest due to the officer's department frequently appearing in federal court.
The judge initially denied the allegations, calling them 'outrageous' and 'baseless,' but later admitted to the affair and sexual intercourse in chambers. Investigators reviewed security footage, sign-in logs, and interviewed former clerks before the judge confessed. The panel found the judge attended a partisan political event and made false statements during the investigation.
As part of the disciplinary action, the judge agreed to write letters of apology to affected clerks, refrain from serving as chief judge, and avoid participation in Judicial Conference committees. The judge's spouse was reportedly unaware of the affair, raising concerns about extortion risks. The decision to withhold the judge's name was made by the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Council of the United States.