With Friends Like These

The Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct has reprimanded a judge who wrote a letters on behalf of two persons convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The letter asked for mercy for persons that he and his spouse “had the privilege to call friend.”

He signed the letter that identified him as a criminal court judge on court stationary.

His spouse also signed but the letter failed to mention that she herself was a named defendant in a related civil case along with the objects of the sought mercy.

The panel noted his relative inexperience as a judge and that he “has taken full responsibility and offered no excuses for your actions.” (Mike Frisch)