Posted by Ilya Somin:
National Organization of Women Calls for Impeachment Investigation of Judge
Samuel B. Kent:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_09_30-2007_10_06.shtml#1191379414
The National Organization of Women is [1]asking Congress to
investigate the possibility of impeaching U.S. District Judge Samuel
B. Kent, who [2]has been accused of sexual harrassment and numerous
other violations of judicial ethics (Hat tip: VC reader Wright Gore).
I don't often agree with NOW, but they're certainly right on this
issue. However, NOW President Kim Gandy is wrong to criticize the US
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for not giving Kent a more
severe punishment.
�The idea that any employee who has been found to engage in
sufficient misconduct to justify a reprimand and a suspension from
employment would then continue to draw a full salary from the
taxpayers during that suspension is a shocking idea,� Gandy said.
�It�s an outrage. He could go travel the world for four months.
That�s not a punishment, that�s a reward.�
Article III of the Constitution prevents the Fifth Circuit from
docking Kent's pay or removing him from hearing cases. The only way to
achieve that result is impeachment by the House of Representatives
followed by a conviction in the Senate.
References
1. http://blogs.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=694b373c38d55236
2. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_09_30-2007_10_06.shtml#1191044678
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