In split opinion, court permanently disbars judge convicted of indecent behavior with teens
Following a 2020 conviction for indecent behavior with teenagers and misdemeanor sexual battery, a former Louisiana judge from St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, shown here, has been permanently disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court. (Photo by Gerald Herbert/The Associated Press)
Following a 2020 conviction for indecent behavior with teenagers and misdemeanor sexual battery, a former Louisiana judge has been permanently disbarred by the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Judge Elzey Jeffrey Perilloux, 59, was a judge in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana, WWL-TV reports.
In June, the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board recommended that he be permanently disbarred.
Perilloux was elected to the bench in 2016. In May 2017, he was accused of improperly touching two girls, ages 14 and 15, in his home, as well as in December 2017, in an interaction involving a 17-year-old girl. In 2020, he was convicted of three felony counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery. His convictions were upheld on appeal.
According to the state supreme court’s opinion upholding the disciplinary board recommendation, Perilloux told the board that he was convicted and sentenced for “fondling” the first accuser’s breasts “for 20 seconds” and “touching her upper chest during a shoulder rub.” Additionally, he claimed that he was applying sunscreen to the back and shoulders of the second accuser and said the third accuser was 18 years old.
Three Louisiana Supreme Court justices—including the chief justice—dissented from the majority and found that the court should impose regular disbarment. Four justices comprised the majority.
Perilloux’s misconduct was “undoubtedly egregious” and demonstrated that he lacked the moral character and fitness to practice law, according to the opinion.
“Moreover, respondent has expressed no remorse for his actions or concern for his victims whatsoever. Any regret he has alluded to in these proceedings is limited to the extent that the criminal case affected him and his family,” the court wrote.
According to a 2024 parole hearing for Perilloux, the juveniles were friends of his daughter.
Additionally, Perilloux was arrested for drunk driving before he was a judge. A video of the stop can be seen here.
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