H. Res. 520 

In the House of Representatives, U.S., 

June 19, 2009. 

Impeaching Samuel B. Kent, judge of the United 

States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, for high crimes and misdemeanors. 

Resolved, That Samuel B. Kent, a judge of the United 

States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, is 

impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the 

following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the Senate: 

Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of 

itself and all of the people of the United States of America, 

against Samuel B. Kent, a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against him for high 

crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE I 

Incident to his position as a United States district court 

judge, Samuel B. Kent has engaged in conduct with respect 

to employees associated with the court that is incompatible 
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with the trust and confidence placed in him as a judge, as 

follows: 

(1) Judge Kent is a United States District Judge 

in the Southern District of Texas. From 1990 to 2008, 

he was assigned to the Galveston Division of the Southern District, and his chambers and courtroom were located in the United States Post Office and Courthouse 

in Galveston, Texas. 

(2) Cathy McBroom was an employee of the Office 

of the Clerk of Court for the Southern District of Texas, 

and served as a Deputy Clerk in the Galveston Division 

assigned to Judge Kent’s courtroom. 

(3) On one or more occasions between 2003 and 

2007, Judge Kent sexually assaulted Cathy McBroom, 

by touching her private areas directly and through her 

clothing against her will and by attempting to cause her 

to engage in a sexual act with him. 

Wherefore, Judge Samuel B. Kent is guilty of high 

crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. 

ARTICLE II 

Incident to his position as a United States district court 

judge, Samuel B. Kent has engaged in conduct with respect 

to employees associated with the court that is incompatible 

with the trust and confidence placed in him as a judge, as 

follows: 
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•HRES 520 EH 

(1) Judge Kent is a United States District Judge 

in the Southern District of Texas. From 1990 to 2008, 

he was assigned to the Galveston Division of the Southern District, and his chambers and courtroom were located in the United States Post Office and Courthouse 

in Galveston, Texas. 

(2) Donna Wilkerson was an employee of the 

United States District Court for the Southern District 

of Texas. 

(3) On one or more occasions between 2001 and 

2007, Judge Kent sexually assaulted Donna Wilkerson, 

by touching her in her private areas against her will and 

by attempting to cause her to engage in a sexual act 

with him. 

Wherefore, Judge Samuel B. Kent is guilty of high 

crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. 

ARTICLE III 

Samuel B. Kent corruptly obstructed, influenced, or impeded an official proceeding as follows: 
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(1) On or about May 21, 2007, Cathy McBroom 

filed a judicial misconduct complaint with the United 

States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In response, the Fifth Circuit appointed a Special Investigative Committee (hereinafter in this article referred to as 

‘‘the Committee’’) to investigate Cathy McBroom’s complaint. 

(2) On or about June 8, 2007, at Judge Kent’s request and upon notice from the Committee, Judge Kent 

appeared before the Committee. 

(3) As part of its investigation, the Committee 

sought to learn from Judge Kent and others whether he 

had engaged in unwanted sexual contact with Cathy 

McBroom and individuals other than Cathy McBroom. 

(4) On or about June 8, 2007, Judge Kent made 

false statements to the Committee regarding his unwanted sexual contact with Donna Wilkerson as follows: 

(A) Judge Kent falsely stated to the Committee that the extent of his unwanted sexual contact with Donna Wilkerson was one kiss, when in 

fact and as he knew he had engaged in repeated 

sexual contact with Donna Wilkerson without her 

permission. 

(B) Judge Kent falsely stated to the Committee that when told by Donna Wilkerson his ad-
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vances were unwelcome no further contact occurred, 

when in fact and as he knew, Judge Kent continued 

such advances even after she asked him to stop. 

(5) Judge Kent was indicted and pled guilty and 

was sentenced to imprisonment for the felony of obstruction of justice in violation of section 1512(c)(2) of title 

18, United States Code, on the basis of false statements 

made to the Committee. The sentencing judge described 

his conduct as ‘‘a stain on the justice system itself’’. 

Wherefore, Judge Samuel B. Kent is guilty of high 

crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. 

ARTICLE IV 

Judge Samuel B. Kent made material false and misleading statements about the nature and extent of his nonconsensual sexual contact with Cathy McBroom and Donna 

Wilkerson to agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation 

on or about November 30, 2007, and to agents of the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation and representatives of the Department of Justice on or about August 11, 2008. 
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Wherefore, Judge Samuel B. Kent is guilty of high 

crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. 

Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Attest: 

Clerk.