Federal Judge in Georgia Faces Impeachment Over Misconduct

A federal judge in Georgia apologized for engaging in inappropriate behavior in her office. Allegations involve sexual activity with a police officer during work hours, leading to articles of impeachment against her.

Apology and Acknowledgment

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross expressed regret in a letter addressing past actions, acknowledging the harm caused to a former law clerk. She admitted her actions were wrong and apologized for false accusations against the clerk.

Investigations and Judicial Misconduct

Judge Ross, appointed by Barack Obama in 2014, was found to have had sexual relations with a police officer in her chambers. This led to an investigation exposing her attendance at a political event and failure to supervise staff adequately.

Reps. Andrew Clyde and Clay Fuller, both from Georgia, filed impeachment resolutions citing Ross’s misconduct. Federal judges hold lifetime appointments and can only be removed through congressional impeachment.

Reactions from Legislators

Clyde criticized Ross’s actions, highlighting her lack of integrity. Fuller emphasized the importance of maintaining a judiciary held to the highest ethical standards, condemning Ross’s behavior and calling for her removal.

Details of Allegations

The investigations revealed that Ross attended a partisan event, lied about her relationship with the officer, and created a disruptive workplace environment.

The impeachment articles allege Ross’s extramarital affair with Officer Kelley Collier and unprofessional behavior during office hours. The committee reviewing the case did not find evidence of abusive behavior.

Next Steps

The House Judiciary Committee will determine whether to pursue impeachment proceedings against Ross. Should the House impeach her, the Senate would decide on her removal from the bench.

Judge Ross wrote that she hopes her acknowledgment serves as a small step towards rectifying the harm caused.