A former Georgia Superior Court judge has pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge, in a deal with proseutors that keeps him out of prison. The plea by Brooks E. Blitch III ends a lengthy investigation by state and federal authorities who toppled him as one of rural Clinch County's most powerful politicians. The plea Friday morning came before U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson.
Blitch pleaded guilty to a single count of honest service fraud conspiracy for granting favors to defendants outside of court. He admitted to reducing sentences and bonds and terminating probations without hearings or notifying prosecutors.
The 74-year-old Blitch resigned last year to settle misconduct charges by a state agency that investigates judges.
Federal prosecutors indicted him on criminal corruption charges two months later.
Full Article, Press Release from the Georgia AG, and Source:
Former Clinch Judge Pleads Guilty
A deal to keep him out of prison?
ReplyDeleteAnd we wonder why exploiters do it over and over again. Why not? Crime certainly does pay some people.
He should be locked up and his face plastered in every judge's chambers as a warning of what happens when judges betray their ethical oath.
ReplyDeleteLine him up with Conahan and Ciavarella.
That he got a deal is outrageous!
ReplyDeleteWonder how long corrupt Brooks E. Blitch had been operating without opposition? How many people turned away and said nothing?
ReplyDeleteWhen judges go bad, there should be no deals. THeir punishment should be harsher than the average citizen because they broke the public trust.
ReplyDelete"honest service fraud conspiracy" - what's that?
ReplyDelete