Two Georgia Republicans file impeachment resolutions against Atlanta federal judge
U.S. Reps. Clay Fuller and Andrew Clyde introduced resolutions seeking to remove U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross after a misconduct investigation confirmed sexual activity in chambers, attendance at a partisan event, and initial false statements to investigators.
Abc NewsTwo members of Congress from Georgia introduced impeachment resolutions against a sitting federal judge in Atlanta after an internal investigation found she engaged in sexual activity with a police officer in her chambers, attended a partisan political event, and initially lied to investigators.
U.S. Reps. Clay Fuller and Andrew Clyde filed the resolutions against U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia. Clyde posted on social media Tuesday that the judge's actions show she cannot maintain integrity or impartiality and should be removed.
Background of the investigation The inquiry began after a law clerk reported that the judge had sexual relations with a high-ranking uniformed police officer in her office on multiple occasions within earshot of staff. The same clerk also alleged inadequate supervision of clerks and one instance of the judge yelling and cursing at employees.
Security logs and footage reviewed by investigators showed the officer visited the chambers frequently around lunchtime while in uniform. Three clerks recalled hearing sounds consistent with sexual activity, and others described the judge declining lunch with summer interns after attending a primary election victory party for a district attorney friend.
The judge initially denied all allegations in writing but later admitted to the extramarital relationship while continuing to deny claims of staff mistreatment. She also acknowledged attending a mixer for former district attorney's office employees in a separate room from the victory party.
Disciplinary outcome and next steps The investigation resulted in a private reprimand. The judge was nominated to the federal bench in January 2014 by then-President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in November of that year after previously serving as a state court judge in DeKalb County.
The House Judiciary Committee now decides whether to open formal impeachment proceedings. Federal judges hold lifetime appointments and can be removed only through impeachment by Congress. A person answering the phone in the judge's chambers said Tuesday that she had no comment.
