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Judge Accused Of Having Sexual Relationships With Defendants

judge joe boeckmann
Arkansas Times

A state disciplinary panel is accusing an Arkansas judge of having inappropriate sexual relationships with defendants.

The Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission lodged administrative charges Tuesday against Cross County District Judge Joe Boeckmann. If substantiated, the commission could recommend his removal from office.

The complaint alleges Boeckmann inappropriately handled cases involving a man he was dating, the man's siblings and employees of a business run by Boeckmann's sisters.

The panel alleges Boeckmann showed preferential treatment to white men and allowed unrecorded sentencing, including picking up trash at his home. He's also accused of taking inappropriate photographs of some defendants during those punishments.

The judge's attorney, Jeff Rosenzweig, says Boeckmann denies the allegations and will fight the charges.

Boeckmann has 30 days to officially respond and ask for a hearing.

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