Investigation Alleges that Will County Divorce Judge Used Courthouse Computer to Watch Porn

By Nottage and Ward on July 23, 2012

A state probe revealed some troubling news recently, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, when it revealed that a 69-year-old judge in Will County, Illinois was spending time browsing various pornographic websites in his judicial chambers instead of deliberating law. The state probe was conducted after an initial Sun-Times investigation.

As dedicated divorce attorneys in Chicago with Nottage and Ward, we are disappointed that a former divorce court judge would allegedly abandon his legal duties in such a way, especially as his actions may point to underlying personal issues that could potentially interfere with his decision-making ability in divorce court. This is likely the reason why the judge was transferred from divorce court to a courtroom that hears mental health and building code enforcement cases the day after the initial story appeared in the Sun-Times. The judge who made the transfer explained that since “(divorce) court calls … by their nature are adversarial and … the issue of gender is often central,” it was logical to remove him from that position.

According to the complaint filed with the State of Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board, the judge often used his courthouse computer in order to access porn (which was blocked in most cases, and logged) during work hours, which violates the Code of Judicial Conduct. Hearings will be held by the Courts Commission where the judge will have the chance to defend himself before it decides on any form of disciplinary action, including termination.

There are many different factors that can contribute to the success of a divorce case, and the judge hearing your case is one of them. At Nottage and Ward, our knowledgeable divorce lawyers can use all of the tools available to present your case in the best light to whoever your judge may be. To learn more about how we can help you, please read our client testimonials and feel free to call us for a consultation.