Dawn Gentry, whose case attracted national attention after reports of threesomes and boozing at her courthouse, was forced out by local judicial commission.
Kenton County, Kentucky Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry (AP)
A judge, who was accused of using sex and alcohol to manipulate those who worked with her, is looking for new employment as of this week.
A five-member judicial commission voted unanimously to remove Kenton County Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry, who was suspended with pay in December pending a misconduct probe, according to a report by local Kentucky station WKYT.
Gentry, 39, was accused of creating a rowdy atmosphere at the courthouse, hiring her boyfriend and bandmate, allowing drinking during work hours, and using sex, coercion, and retaliation against lawyers and court employees who didn’t back her political campaigns.
“This case does not involve one or two isolated occurrences, but instead involves a pattern of misconduct and repeated exercise of extremely poor judgment — on and off the bench — by the respondent that continued for over a year, including after respondent was informed that a complaint was filed with the commission against her,” the commission wrote in its decision.
The commission added that judges, “should aspire at all times to conduct that ensures the greatest public confidence in their independence, impartiality, integrity, and competence.”
Among the allegations, Gentry was accused of forcing a veteran courthouse employee to resign so she could hire Stephen Penrose, a former pastor, and her reputed boyfriend. Records pertaining to the case also allege that the judge kept nude photos of Penrose on her phone, which she would peruse during dull moments in court.
Gentry is also alleged to have propositioned her secretary, Laura Aubrey, to engage in a threesome with her and Penrose.
Aubrey told the misconduct hearing that the three later played a practical joke by making grunting noises inside the judge’s chambers for other employees to hear.
Numerous courthouse employees, including custodians, clerks, and other staffers told the hearing that they regularly found empty liquor bottles inside the chambers. Some said they also often heard singing and guitar playing coming from behind the door.
One attorney, Katherine Schulz, told the panel that Gentry kissed her in a courthouse bathroom and also propositioned her for a threesome, which the lawyer said she turned down.
The judge was also accused of retaliating against attorneys who declined to support or work on her 2018 re-election campaign, typically holding out on lucrative guardianship assignments as punishment.
Gentry’s lawyer, Jeff Lawson said she would appeal the ruling. The judge has 10 days to file. Lawson said that the decision could effectively mean the end of his client’s legal career.
It’s not clear what other line of work she would be suited for. However, Crazy America readers are welcome to send us their suggestions!
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