Diboll municipal court judge agrees to step down to resolve complaint

Diboll municipal court judge agrees to step down to resolve complaint


.Posted: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 2:25 pm
Updated: 9:48 am, Thu Jun 28, 2012.



Diboll municipal court judge agrees to step down to resolve complaint By STEVE KNIGHT/The Lufkin News The Lufkin News



Diboll’s municipal court judge has agreed to resign from his post to avoid possible disciplinary action after a complaint was filed alleging unethical conduct, according to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.



Diboll Municipal Court Judge R.G. Bowers, who has been on medical leave from his post since January, signed an agreement with the Commission this week after an April 27, 2011, complaint alleged that Bowers had engaged in unethical or illegal conduct by providing false testimony, signing a false affidavit and encouraging another individual to provide false testimony in a probate court proceeding, according to the agreement contained in an email from the Commission.


Bowers did not file a formal response to the Commission’s letter of inquiry in the matter, a copy of the agreement stated, and denied he had any criminal intent when he engaged in the conduct.



The agreement also stated that no findings of fact or conclusions of law have been made by the Commission in the matter.



By signing the agreement, the Commission said it would not pursue disciplinary proceedings. The agreement also prohibits Bowers from any future judicial service in the state.



According to the agreement, Bowers does not admit guilt, fault or liability in the matter contained in the complaint.



All questions regarding Bowers were referred by Diboll officials to City Attorney Jimmy Cassels, who said he could not immediately confirm a resignation had been tendered.



“I don’t know anything about this incident,” Cassels said. “I know that Judge Bowers is very sick. It looks like he entered into this voluntary agreement. Judge Bowers, as far as his dealings with me, did a really good job. I’m very sad to know he’s in the physical condition that he’s in and has the illness he has, and I wish him the best.”



On Thursday, Cassels said the matter in the complaint did not occur as part of Bower’s capacity as Diboll municipal judge.



The Diboll City Council appointed Julie Alston as associate municipal judge on Jan. 9 because of Bowers’ health concerns.



Steve Knight’s email address is sknight@lufkindailynews.com.




http://lufkindailynews.com/news/local/article_ccecdb20-c08d-11e1-a8c6-001a4bcf887a.html


Editor's note:  And still...the corrupt Probate Court of Cook County judges continue their unethical and illegal conduct...day after day after day...  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com

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