Federal Judge in Texas is Indicted in Employee Sex Abuse Case
A federal district judge in Texas was indicted today on charges of abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual abuse, based on complaints made by his former case manager.
The federal case against U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent is unique, and also represents the first time in recent years that a Texas judge has been indicted, reports the Houston Chronicle.
A lawyer for Kent tells the newspaper that he is innocent of the charges against him, and promises that the case will go to trial.
Meanwhile, his accuser, Cathy McBroom, who is referred to as “Person A” in the indictment, expressed satisfaction in a written statement, the Chronicle reports:
“After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent’s lawyer suggested that what happened to me was ‘enthusiastically consensual,’ ” she writes. “I am relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law, and that sexual abuse in the workplace is never acceptable, no matter the status of the offender.”
However, the same claim was repeated today by Kent’s counsel, Dick DeGuerin, who also contended that McBroom complained about the judge to divert attention from a mistake she allegedly made at work that could have gotten her fired, the newspaper reports.
“To charge Judge Kent of conduct of which he is absolutely innocent based on this kind of flimsy evidence is inexcusable and we will fight it to the bitter end,” DeGuerin tells the Chronicle.
A copy of the indictment (PDF) is provided by the newspaper.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Probe of Federal Judge Expands to Include House Sale to Lawyer”
ABAJournal.com: “Probe Broadens into Federal Judge Accused of Harassment”
ABAJournal.com: “Judge Accused of Sex Harassment Returns to Bench”
