Former Judge Suspended After Conviction
The Tennessee Supreme Court has suspended an attorney pending final discipline
On February 28, 2024, the Tennessee Supreme Court suspended Perry Lee Stout from the practice of law until further orders of the Court pursuant to Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 9, Section 22.3. Mr. Stout entered a plea of guilty and was adjudged guilty to one felony count of criminal conspiracy to possess Schedule VI-controlled substances and one felony count of money laundering in violation of Tenn. Code. Ann. §§ 39-17- 417, 39-12-103 and 39-14-903.
Johnson City Press reported on his guilty plea
Former General Sessions judge Perry Stout pleaded guilty in Johnson County Criminal Court Friday to charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to sell or deliver Schedule VI (drugs), maintaining a dwelling for the sale or use of narcotics, as well as committing the offense of money laundering.
Stout, 52, is facing a total of 10 years in prison for two separate criminal charges: two years for the first count and eight years for the second.
After a nearly two-year investigation and his arrest earlier this week, Stout was arraigned in Criminal Court but represented himself, and waived all procedures and processes to a jury trial. He pleaded guilty to all charges with sentencing scheduled by Judge Lisa Rice for April 22.
“You have no idea how close he was being a judge again,” Brooks said. “The investigation has been going on a long time, and we didn’t anticipate any issues with Judge Canter continuing her interim appointment at least until getting to the next election. But because of the circumstances going on over here, the state started pushing to act quickly because it becomes a situation where you charge someone who is a judge versus someone who is not. The only way to remove a judge is the General Assembly has to do it by impeachment.”
Brooks said that when the Board of Judicial Conduct got involved with Stout following the revelations of his inappropriate conduct inside the courthouse, among other things, the resolution they came up with did not forbid Stout to run for office again.
“We felt it was our responsibility to do what we needed to do as quickly as possible,” Brooks said.
In a statement read to the court, Brooks mentioned that Stout’s efforts to access money through his criminal activities were in part to fund his planned reelection campaign as General Sessions judge later this year.
“In fact, Stout wanted to use dirty money to become a judge again,” Brooks said. “The idea that a judge would resort to such efforts is appalling.”
Brooks also said that as of Wednesday, “We did not expect to be doing this today. I was preparing for a jury trial, but the way we structured his interview, he would end up confessing; that’s at least to his credit. At least he manned up to what he has done.”
Visibly broken in appearance, Stout seemed almost disconnected from what was going on, staring at length at the audience that showed up to hear the proceedings but was very keen to ensure that his family was considered in connection with his plea deal.
WCYB 5 had a story on his judicial resignation
Perry Stout resigned last year after he self-reported an incident involving court staff.
A letter sent by Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct Chair Dee David Gay detailed allegations against Stout.
The letter stated that a Johnson County employee walked in on Stout and a deputy court clerk “engaged in sexual activity” in January.
Stout also admitted to having lunch with two people who had active cases before him, according to the letter.
(Mike Frisch)