Opinion ID: 1735129
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the doe complaint

Text: ¶ 29. As to Jane Doe, the majority says Judge Lewis made several inappropriate sexual advances, all of which she refused. Some of these sexual advances included his suggestion that they go to a private, secluded area in the courthouse. Again, the record does not support the majority's allegation that Judge Lewis made several inappropriate sexual advances toward Doe. In addition to what is set out by the majority, Doe testified: [Doe:] Yes, he told me that he would help me. And he explained the procedure he would do, like going back to court and what all he had to do to get me back to court and stop the garnishment. [Counsel for Commission:] And in exchange for helping you, were you expected to do anything for him? [Doe:] At that time, we were talking about the case, and as I got ready to leave the office, that was the end of the conversation. There was nothing left to discuss at this point. And at that time I got ready to leave because I was on my lunch break. And as I was leaving, he came from behind the desk. And I was  I was walking a few feet ahead of him, and he started telling me about a part of the building that we could go to that would be private. And I just kept walking because I didn't understand, I mean, why he was talking to me like that. He was a judge. ¶ 30. Doe testified that she called Judge Lewis repeatedly after meeting with him and that he told her he would assist her with her case, but that he never said anything sexually inappropriate. On cross-examination, Doe admitted that Judge Lewis never said he expected anything from her. [Counsel for Lewis:] All right. And he never said to you he expected something in return from you, did he? [Doe:] Not in those words. In his behavior, though. He didn't say that. [Counsel:] Okay. And you and I agree, people can perceive things different ways, can't they? [Doe:] That's true. [Counsel:] What you may have perceived may not be what someone else would perceive? [Doe:] May not. [Counsel:] But Judge Lewis never asked you to have any type of sexual conduct with him, did he? [Doe:] Not out-and-out, but his behavior. [Counsel:] All right. And tell me, how was  was he calm? Was he mad? Was he angry? What was he with you? [Doe:] My interpretation of him when I talked with him, he was giddy. He was in a good mood, playful. [Counsel:] Joking? [Doe:] Jokingly. That's the impression that I saw when I saw him. ¶ 31. Doe further testified that Judge Lewis walked with her to the elevator, but that nothing else was said by either party. She denied making any sort of threatening comment about Judge Lewis. However, Wanda Spann, who was at justice court that day on an unrelated matter, testified that she overheard Doe asking Judge Lewis to help her. Spann further testified that after Judge Lewis said he was not going to help her and got on the elevator, Doe said [t]he fat M.F. is going to wish he had never messed with me. Judge Lewis denies that he made any inappropriate sexual comments to Doe, and he testified that his office door was open when he spoke with her. Further, Judge Lewis made tape recordings of some of his telephone conversations with Doe. However, the Commission found the tapes to be inadmissible. ¶ 32. Doe also denied having made a complaint against the landlord with whom she was involved in litigation. However, the landlord testified that Doe had filed a complaint against him with the mayor's office. The landlord further testified that Doe often answered the door wearing a see-through teddy when he attempted to collect rent from her. The Commission found the proof insufficient to support Doe's claim of sexual misconduct.