Judge disciplined for sex in chambers apologizes to former clerk
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross was disciplined after an investigation confirmed she had sex with a uniformed police officer in her courthouse chambers and initially lied about it, leading to a private reprimand and an agreement not to seek chief judge status.
- The investigation began when a law clerk reported multiple incidents of sexual activity during working hours, inadequate supervision, and unprofessional conduct by Ross, who later admitted to an extramarital relationship with the officer.
- Ross apologized in a letter to a former law clerk for her “harmful, offensive, and unprofessional behavior,” including falsely accusing the clerk during the investigation, and promised to take further steps to prevent recurrence.
- Two Georgia congressmen have filed separate impeachment resolutions against Ross, though removal requires action by the House Judiciary Committee and impeachment by Congress.
- The disciplinary report noted the officer frequently visited Ross’s chambers in uniform, and clerks described an “eggshell culture” but found no evidence of abusive behavior; Ross acknowledged attending a partisan event but disputed some allegations.