The Upshur County district attorney said that he is investigating the Upshur County judge in a matter related to the judge accepting checks from a former lawyer.
According to the Texas Courts Code of Judicial Conduct, "a judge shall refrain from financial and business dealings that ... involve the judge in frequent transactions with lawyers or persons likely to come before the court on which the judge serves."
Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler said he accepted checks from former lawyer Robert Bennett, who was sentenced to state prison for theft and misuse of client trust fund money. Fowler said some of the checks were for referrals, which are permitted by the Judicial Conduct Code.
About half of the checks were for personal business, and District Attorney Billy Byrd said he's trying to determine whether there were criminal or ethical violations.
Full Article and Source:
Upshur district attorney investigates county judge
More information:
Former Gilmer Attorney Investigated For Possible Ethical, Legal Violations
According to the Texas Courts Code of Judicial Conduct, "a judge shall refrain from financial and business dealings that ... involve the judge in frequent transactions with lawyers or persons likely to come before the court on which the judge serves."
Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler said he accepted checks from former lawyer Robert Bennett, who was sentenced to state prison for theft and misuse of client trust fund money. Fowler said some of the checks were for referrals, which are permitted by the Judicial Conduct Code.
About half of the checks were for personal business, and District Attorney Billy Byrd said he's trying to determine whether there were criminal or ethical violations.
Full Article and Source:
Upshur district attorney investigates county judge
More information:
Former Gilmer Attorney Investigated For Possible Ethical, Legal Violations
Good. I'm glad they're on this judge.
ReplyDeleteWe suspect kickbacks in many cases; it's just so hard to prove.
I don't get this, "Fowler said some of the checks were for referrals, which are permitted by the Judicial Conduct Code."
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain that for me?
The financial benefit of the judge/lawyer buddy system is showcased here.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Billy Byrd is "trying" to determine whether there were criminal or ethical violations -- I would think that would be very easy to determine.
I don't know what that means, Anonymous 2.
ReplyDeleteReferrals for what?
Judge Dean Fowler is a crook and how many other cases did he dirty, did he "fix", get kickbacks, bonuses, gifts, rewards, whatever you want to call buying favors.
ReplyDeleteShameful!