Impeachment sought against federal judge over alleged misconduct

Two Republican members of Congress from Georgia have initiated impeachment proceedings against U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross, citing allegations of sexual misconduct in her chambers, attendance at a partisan event, and dishonesty with investigators.

U.S. Reps. Clay Fuller and Andrew Clyde introduced the resolutions, with Clyde stating on social media that Ross’s actions demonstrate an inability to uphold integrity or impartiality, thus necessitating her removal from the bench. The House Judiciary Committee holds the authority to decide whether to commence impeachment proceedings against federal judges, who are appointed for life and can only be removed through this process.

Judge Ross, who was nominated by then-President Barack Obama in January 2014 and confirmed in November of that year, previously served as a state court judge and worked as a prosecutor. The investigation into her conduct began after a law clerk reported that Ross had engaged in sexual activity with a high-ranking police officer in her chambers, within earshot of staff. Additional allegations included insufficient supervision of clerks and instances of yelling and cursing at staff.

Following the investigation, Ross received a private reprimand. The court's inquiry confirmed the sexual activity and her attendance at a partisan event, noting that she initially denied the allegations. While the court's report did not publicly identify the judge or location, a source familiar with the situation confirmed Ross was the subject of the discipline.

Separately, the Atlanta Police Department has launched its own investigation to ascertain if the law enforcement officer involved in the incident is a member of their department.

Chief Judge William Pryor of the 11th Circuit initiated the inquiry, and Ross initially denied all allegations, suggesting the clerk might have fabricated them in retaliation. A special committee appointed by Pryor reviewed logs and security footage, which indicated frequent visits by an uniformed officer to the judge's chambers. Six clerks recalled seeing someone matching the officer's description, with three overhearing what they believed to be sexual activity. Three clerks also recalled bringing summer interns to observe Ross preside over a criminal hearing, after which she declined lunch, admitting to having consumed too many martinis at a district attorney's friend's victory party. The clerks described a lack of guidance and insufficient editing of their drafted civil orders, characterizing the environment as an "eggshell culture," though the committee found no evidence of abusive behavior.

Ultimately, Ross admitted to an extramarital sexual relationship with the officer but denied mistreating staff, according to the committee. She acknowledged attending a "mixer" for former employees of a district attorney's office where she previously worked, but stated it was in a separate room from the victory party.