Posted on 06/24/2004 7:08:35 PM PDT by buffyt
Editors Note: This story contains graphic information of a sexual nature.
HERE COME DA JUDGE!
OKLAHOMA CITY (cnhi) -- A Creek County district judge was named in a petition for removal from office Wednesday after a complaint alleging sexual behavior while presiding over court hearings.
The petition to remove District Judge Donald D. Thompson was turned over by the Council on Judicial Complaints to the Oklahoma attorney general's office. The petition was subsequently referred to the trial division of the Court of the Judiciary of the State of Oklahoma.
Thompson is accused of using a genital pump while sitting on the bench. Sixteen witnesses are listed by the prosecution in the matter, including law enforcement agents, prosecutors, Lisa K. Foster and Zelma Hindman.
Foster, who served as Thompson's court reporter for 15 years, and Hindman, who was Thompson's secretary, were both fired after it was discovered the two had cooperated in an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
The petition states that Foster heard noises and she claimed to have seen the judge exposed several times and involved in private activities while on the bench, including shaving his genital area and applying lotion.
Sapulpa Police Chief James Isaac Wall Jr., was cited as being among a number of witnesses who had heard a sound "like air being pumped or released" from the area where Thompson was sitting. Sgt. Michael Reed was also named as having heard the sound and also seeing a tube in Thompson's hand disappearing into his robe.
"Sergeant Reed later saw the device ... under the bench and assisted in taking photographs of it during the lunch break at the trial," the petition claims.
The photographs were submitted as part of the evidence in the petition for Thompson's removal from the bench.
The petition stated that Hindman was aware of the existence of the pump and she claimed that it was typically kept under the bench.
When confronted, the petition states, Thompson admitted he left the device under the bench during an Aug. 22, 2003, murder trial but denied using the pump at other times. Thompson allegedly told investigators the device was a gag gift from a friend.
Petitioners contend the alleged actions violate the requirements of three Canons, including one that judges personally observe a high standard of conduct "so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary will be preserved."
Thompson was also accused of having violated the requirement that a judge should conduct himself in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary as well as the requirement that a judge act in a dignified manner.
Thompson participated in conduct that was "morally reprehensible and deserving of removal," the petition claims. "This conduct is immoral in itself by the doing of the act and therefore, constitutes an offense involving moral turpitude."
No timeline was established for proceeding on the filed petition.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0624041pump1.html
and the story was listed in DRUDGE headlines today, and Yahoo had it. I am here in Sapulpa for a 35th HS reunion, tomorrow night. Have been here all week working, getting stuff ready for the reunion tomorrow, getting food, drinks, decorations.... Then this was in the paper today, front page. He is married to one of the gals in our class and she is a local school teacher, elementary level. This is so horrible and so sad for his family.
In OK, the judges are "officially non-partisan"
I laughed hysterically reading the smoking gun stuff. This guy should claim a disability and cash in on it.
I think he had a fundamental misunderstanding of the term "The Long Arm of the Law."
Where's the evidence? What, that? That's no good, it won't stand up in court.....
WELL I didn't see it and I am here in this town where it happened and I know him and his wife. I think I get dibbs on this one. LOL
No, not a molestor, but he did mess up many trials, most likely. I DO care about his wife, I have known her since we were little girls and she is a good person and teaches elem. school. This is a VERY small town. You can throw a rock and hit the other side almost. His wife is just the most gracious thing on earth. But she married a pervert.
The article Patrick Henry pointed to is a different one then your article, although it is about the same subject
What I like to know is what is his party affiliation?
I quite agree. The topic is certainly worthy of a second thread.
I know, and it was on Yahoo too. They were joking about it on the radio yesterday, saying Leno and Letterman will have fund with it, and will Michael Moore do his next movie HERE. My mother used to be County Treasurer at the same court house where Thompson served.
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