Wax Suggestion Draws Reprimand

A reprimand has been imposed by the South Carolina Supreme Court for two instances of judicial misconduct

During the first incident, which occurred in September 2021, Respondent was presiding over a jury trial when defense counsel requested that a motion be heard outside the presence of the jury. Respondent agreed to hear the motion, and after the jury was escorted out, plaintiff’s counsel and Respondent engaged in a heated exchange during which counsel challenged how Respondent knew of defense counsel’s motion. Respondent scolded plaintiff’s counsel for not listening and directed him to “get the f**king wax out of his ears.” Judge then cleared his throat, apologized, and asked plaintiff’s counsel to “take the wax out of his ears.” At the conclusion of the hearing, Respondent again apologized for using profanity and immediately self-reported the misconduct to ODC.

The second incident occurred in November 2021 after the Greenwood County clerk staff notified Respondent late in the afternoon that he was assigned to preside over a jury trial the following morning at 9:30 a.m. Respondent subsequently
complained to the Chief Magistrate in a loud and agitated manner and yelled at the scheduling clerk for failing to provide him timely notice of the jury trial. After the Chief Magistrate intervened, Respondent returned to his office and subsequently apologized to both the scheduling clerk and the Chief Magistrate.

The court noted mitigation in significant pressing family health issues. (Mike Frisch)