Legal News

Breaking News: Judge Kent Cops Plea, Resigns

By Ashby Jones

Well, that was quick. Texas federal judge Samuel Kent, whose criminal trial was slated to start today, has copped a plea. The jurist pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice today and retired from the bench, avoiding a trial on several charges that he sexually abused two female employees. Click here for the story from the Houston Chronicle; here for an earlier LB post on Kent from today (which contains links to previous LB coverage).

“Judge Kent believes that this settlement is in the best interest of all involved,” his attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said after this morning’s hearing. “A trial would have been long, embarrassing and difficult for all involved.”

The obstruction charge, which accuses Kent of lying to a panel that was investigating the sexual-abuse allegations, carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, although people close to the case expect the government to ask Vinson to sentence Kent to three years in prison. Sentencing is expected in May.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on February 23, 2009 (boomark / email).