JQC PANEL RECOMMENDS JUDGE CRAWFORD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE

A STATE JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION HEARING PANEL HAS RECOMMENDED THAT GRIFFIN JUDICIAL CIRCUIT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT “MACK” CRAWFORD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE OVER $15,600 HE IS ACCUSED OF TAKING FROM THE PIKE COUNTY COURT REGISTRY.

THE GEORGIA SUPREME COURT WILL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATION.

ZEBULON ATTORNEY VIRGIL BROWN HAS CLAIMED THE MONEY WAS LEGAL FEES IN A REAL ESTATE CASE EARNED BY JUDGE CRAWFORD WHEN HE WAS PRACTICING LAW. ATTORNEY BROWN TOLD ZOOM NEWS HE LOOKS FOWARD TO ARGUING THE CASE BEFORE THE GA. SUPREME COURT. JUDGE CRAWFORD PAID BACK THE MONEY IN FEBRUARY 2018 AFTER SPEAKING WITH JQC DIRECTOR BEN EASTERLIN.

ACCORDING TO THE JQC, JUDGE CRAWFORD HAS 20 DAYS TO FILE EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULING WITH THE GA. SUPREME COURT WHICH WILL DECIDE IF IT WANTS BRIEFS OR ORAL ARGUMENTS. THE SUPREME COURT HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF JUDGE CRAWFORD ONCE ALREADY IN THE CASE ON A MATTER AIMED AT REMOVING HIM FROM OFFICE.

THE PANEL'S DECISION STATES JUDGE CRAWFORD VIOLATED THE RULE OF THE GA. CODE OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT THAT JUDGES “SHALL RESPECT AND COMPLY WITH THE LAW.”