“Respondent failed in essentially every respect of this fundamental rule applicable to all judges.”
| Sep 1, 2020
Fox News – A Kentucky judge accused of using sex and booze to turn her courtroom into a virtual frat house was kicked off the bench by a judicial panel on Monday.
A five-member judicial commission voted unanimously to remove Kenton County Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry, who was suspended with pay in December pending a misconduct probe, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.
Gentry, 39, was accused of creating a rowdy atmosphere at the courthouse, hiring her boyfriend and bandmate, allowing drinking during work hours, and using sex, coercion, and retaliation against lawyers and court employees who didn’t back her political campaigns, the outlet said.
Propositioned secretary to engage in a threesome
In its decision, the commission wrote that judges:
“should aspire at all times to conduct that ensures the greatest public confidence in their independence, impartiality, integrity, and competence.”
“Respondent failed in essentially every respect of this fundamental rule applicable to all judges.”
Among the allegations, Gentry was accused of forcing a veteran courthouse employee to resign so she could hire Stephen Penrose, a former pastor, and her reputed paramour, and kept nude photos of him on her cell phone, the Enquirer said.
The judge also propositioned her secretary, Laura Aubrey, to engage in a threesome with her and Penrose … Read more.
8 specific allegations against judge
KENTON COUNTY, Ky. (WKRC) – Kentucky’s Judicial Conduct Commission ordered Dawn Gentry stripped of her judgeship. The decision follows a pattern of bad behavior.
It’s a 12-page ruling that comes after five days of testimony in early August. The commission found Gentry:
- Allowed alcohol to be stored and consumed in court offices
- Engaged in sexual acts with an attorney who continued to appear before her
- Had a romantic relationship with an employee of the court
- Was not candid or honest with the commission
- Coerced attorneys to donate and work on her campaign
- Utilized staff during work hours to work on her campaign
- Appointed attorneys to a panel in exchange for supporting her campaign
- Retaliated against attorneys by delaying their cases for not donating or working on her campaign | Source.
Dawn Gentry, Kentucky 16th Circuit Court
Suspension due to allegations of misconduct
Ballotpedia.org – In December 2019, the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission filed allegations that Gentry had committed misconduct on nine different counts. Gentry denied the allegations in her response.
On January 6, 2020, the Judicial Conduct Commission suspended Gentry without pay pending investigation of the charges.
In February 2020, the Kentucky General Assembly formed a committee to investigate a possible case for impeaching Gentry on the grounds of her alleged misconduct.
Gentry was originally scheduled to appear in court on April 20, 2020, but the hearing was postponed to August 10 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to restrictions on legislative activity during the pandemic, the Kentucky General Assembly was unable to complete its impeachment investigation and dissolved at the end of the legislative session on April 15, 2020. Source.
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