UPDATE ON THE JQC CASE AGAINST JUDGE MACK CRAWFORD

THE HEAD OF THE STATE JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION BEN EASTERLIN ANNOUNCED FRIDAY HE IS RESIGNING FROM THE WATCH DOG AGENCY ONCE A REPLACEMENT IS FOUND.

EASTERLIN WHO IS PROSECUTING THE CASE AGAINST PIKE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ROBERT MACK CRAWFORD TOLD THE AJC HE HAD NOT ANTICIPATED STAYING ON LONGER THAN TWO YEARS WHEN HE TOOK OVER THE THEN TROUBLED AGENCY.

LAST MONTH, THE GA. SUPREME COURT DELAYED MAKING A DECISION ON JUDGE CRAWFORD'S REMOVAL, IN A COURT ORDER CRITICAL OF THE JQC'S LEGAL FILINGS IN THE CASE.

JUDGE CRAWFORD'S LEGAL TEAM--FORMER GA. GOVERNOR ROY BARNES AND ZEBULON ATTORNEY VIRGIL BROWN FILED A CHALLENGE TO THE J.Q.C.'S COMPOSITION IN COBB COUNTY AND LOST—BUT HAVE APPEALED TO THE GA. COURT OF APPEALS—SOMETHING THAT COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS FOR A DECISION. THEY CLAIM THE JQC WAS IMPROPERLY CHOSEN AND SWORN-IN.

IN THAT ORDER THE GA. SUPREME COURT CALLED THE ISSUE OF THE VALID COMPOSITION OF THE JQC CLEARLY A THRESHOLD QUESTION AND ITS RESOLUTION WILL DETERMINE THE COURSE OF THE MATTER.

LAST YEAR THE JQC BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE CRAWFORD, ACCUSING HIM OF THE THEFT OF MORE THAN $15,000 IN COURT FUNDS—FROM A REAL ESTATE CASE WHEN HE WAS AN ATTORNEY. THE JQC'S HEARING PANEL RULED THAT JUDGE CRAWFORD SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.