ATLANTA, Ga. — In most American workplaces, a scandal involving sex in the office, alleged dishonesty during an investigation, and uncomfortable employees would likely trigger swift public consequences. But when the workplace is a federal courthouse, and the person at the center is a lifetime-appointed judge, the stakes become much bigger.
U.S. District Judge Eleanor Louise Ross, who serves in the Northern District of Georgia, is now facing an impeachment push after a judicial misconduct investigation found she engaged in sexual activity with a law enforcement officer in her chambers, attended a partisan political event, and initially gave false statements during the inquiry.
The case has become a Georgia story with national weight. It involves an Atlanta-based federal judge, former law clerks, a high-ranking police officer, and Republican members of Congress from Georgia who say the misconduct findings are serious enough to remove Ross from the bench.
Misconduct Allegations Put Georgia Lawmakers on Alert
The impeachment effort has been led by Georgia Republicans Rep. Andrew Clyde and Rep. Clay Fuller, who filed resolutions against Ross after the findings of misconduct became public. Local coverage from 11Alive reported that Georgia congressmen sought the judge’s impeachment as the controversy moved from courthouse discipline to Capitol Hill…