Ex-Federal Judge Blames Stripper Fiasco on Depression, Brain Damage from Bike Accident
A former senior federal judge who pleaded guilty to helping a stripper buy drugs is blaming his bad choices on a long battle with depression and brain injuries suffered in a bicycle accident.
Former Senior U.S. District Judge Jack Camp of Atlanta is seeking a sentence of probation, a fine and community service, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Associated Press report.
According to court documents, Camp sought treatment in 1999 for “a mood cycling or bipolar disorder,” but he was prescribed medications for depression. The next year, he suffered a serious head injury in a bicycle accident. The accident damaged his temporal lobe, which controls impulsiveness.
At the time of his arrest, Camp was also dealing with the severe illnesses of his mother and sister, court papers say. The problems don’t excuse Camp’s conduct, according to the filing, but they do help explain “how in May of 2010 a lonely man in the twilight of his life became entangled with a seductive prostitute more than willing to take advantage of his needs and of his misguided impulse to be her friend and protector.”
Related coverage:
Legal Profession Blog: “Former Federal Judge Stripped Of Georgia License”
Updated at 1:45 p.m. to include link to related story.
