NEW ORLEANS -
The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered the
removal of a Jefferson Parish judge accused of letting her
relationships with a fellow judge and a plaintiff's attorney
dictate her decision in a case.
The court's ruling Friday cites evidence that District Judge Joan Benge awarded money to a man who had sued over a traffic accident even though she privately said the suit had no merit.
FBI agents investigating broader allegations of judicial misconduct taped a 2001 conversation between Benge and former state District Judge Robert Bodenheimer in which he lobbied her to rule in favor of the plaintiff, whose lawyer was one of Benge's campaign donors.
Bodenheimer was one of more than a dozen defendants convicted in the FBI's "Wrinkled Robe" investigation.
The court's ruling Friday cites evidence that District Judge Joan Benge awarded money to a man who had sued over a traffic accident even though she privately said the suit had no merit.
FBI agents investigating broader allegations of judicial misconduct taped a 2001 conversation between Benge and former state District Judge Robert Bodenheimer in which he lobbied her to rule in favor of the plaintiff, whose lawyer was one of Benge's campaign donors.
Bodenheimer was one of more than a dozen defendants convicted in the FBI's "Wrinkled Robe" investigation.
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
