Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Senate accepts articles of impeachment for federal judge

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The US Senate began the impeachment trial process for Judge Samuel Kent Wednesday for alleged "high crimes and misdemeanors" after accepting the articles of impeachment from the US House of Representatives. Senate leaders established a bipartisan committee to prepare for the upcoming impeachment trial. The judge for the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas is being impeached on allegations of sexually harassing his secretary and case manager, obstructing a judicial proceeding by making false statements, and making false and misleading statements to federal agents during his investigation. The House approved the articles last week to no opposition. Kent is the first federal judge to be impeached in 20 years and only the thirteenth federal judge to be impeached. Earlier this month, Kent sent a letter of resignation to President Barack Obama that would be effective June 2010, allowing him to collect his salary until then. In May, Kent pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in a plea agreement that prevented him from facing a criminal trial. Following his plea, he was sentenced to 33 months in prison and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and $6,500 in restitution.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on June 25, 2009 (boomark / email).