Judge Kent all smiles back at Galveston court - after suspension for sexual harrassment and...

[Didereaux]

Judge Kent all smiles back at Galveston court - after suspension for sexual harrassment and...

he Daily News
http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2e7c30460e9e8bd5
Published January 11, 2008
GALVESTON — U.S. District Judge Samuel B. Kent was upbeat and unfailingly polite Thursday when he returned to the Galveston bench.

Kent had served a four-month suspension starting in September after his case manager filed a sexual-harassment complaint in May, accusing Kent of touching her in ways she didn’t want. Through his attorney, Kent has denied the charges.

The judge has long been known for his mercurial demeanor. So much so that a Northwestern University law professor wrote an entire magazine article about it in 2001 and titled it “Bullying From the Bench.”
<snip>
Kent was the sole district judge in the Galveston Division from his appointment in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush until his suspension last year.

But, under an order he agreed to, Kent will now split the combined caseload in the Galveston and Houston divisions of the Southern District of Texas with 11 other judges. That means he’ll likely sit much more often in Houston than in Galveston.

Also as part of the order, Kent has agreed not to hear cases involving sexual misconduct or in which the federal government is a party.

The federal government, through the Justice Department, is investigating a claim by Cathy McBroom, Kent’s former case manager, that what she accuses him of isn’t just sexual harassment, it’s a crime. FBI agents reportedly have come to Galveston to interview locals about the judge.

...and congress (read our leadership) decided to wait for further developements. NOW petioned the committee to impeach.

edit speeling