Judge Admits to Judicial Misconduct as Charged, but Denies Willful Misconduct

Respondent counsel for Chatham County Probate Judge Thomas C. Bordeaux Jr. disagreed the jurist's conduct "amount[ed] to willful misconduct in office; a willful and persistent failure to perform the duties of office; and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute."

by Cedra Mayfield

What You Need to Know

• Chatham County Probate Judge Thomas C. Bordeaux Jr. answers judicial misconduct charges.
• Judicial Qualifications Commission of Georgia announced 10 counts of formal judicial misconduct charges against Bordeaux in October.
• Bordeaux has retained Cartersville attorney S. Lester Tate III and Atlanta attorney W. Matthew Wilson as respondent counsel.

A Georgia judge accused of failing to timely issue final orders in at least nine probate cases has responded to judicial misconduct charges launched against him by the Judicial Qualifications Commission of Georgia.

Unlike many other judges who've come under fire, Chatham County Probate Judge Thomas C. Bordeaux Jr. has admitted to the bulk of the allegations charged against him.

However, respondent counsel for the jurist challenge the judicial watchdog's conclusion that Bordeaux's conduct amounts to willful misconduct that's prejudicial to the administration of justice.

Code of Judicial Conduct Violations

According to formal charges announced by JQC Director Courtney Veal and Deputy Director Ashton Murphy on Oct. 3, Bordeaux failed "to fairly, promptly, and efficiently dispose of" at least nine probate cases before him since 2017.

The 10-count charging document alleged Bordeaux violated at least two Code of Judicial Conduct rules, one of them repeatedly. (click to continue reading)

Full Article & Source:
Judge Admits to Judicial Misconduct as Charged, but Denies Willful Misconduct

See Also:
Chatham County Probate Judge under State investigation