Accused Georgia Probate Judge, Shirley Wise, Still on Bench

Shirley Wise continues to serve as Camden County's associate probate judge despite being accused of nine ethical violations by the state's judicial watchdog group.

Probate Judge Martin Gillette said this week he has no intention of suspending Wise until the Judicial Qualifications Commission's (JQC) investigation is complete. The JQC accused Wise on Oct. 19 of multiple ethics charges, including receiving kickbacks, ordering a county employee to forge Gillette's signature, pre-signing marriage licenses and refusing to perform weddings she is sworn to officiate, instead referring the parties to local private wedding companies.

"We don't send people to prison unless they are convicted of something," Gillette said. "This is the same theory."

Gillette, who will retire as probate judge in January and is slated to be replaced by Wise, declined to comment when asked about the possibility that illegal activity could be occurring in his office.

Gillette also said he does not believe the charges against Wise are true.

"This is all a bunch of crap as far as I'm concerned," he said, noting his knowledge of the situation is limited. "You don't treat people that way unless they are found guilty of something, would be my policy."

No judge has ever successfully defended themselves against JQC charges, according to records found on the commission's website, www.gajqc.com. Gillette also declined to comment on whether that fact changed how he perceives the situation."

Full Article and Source:
Accused Probate Judge Still on Bench