Opinion ID: 1779690
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Recommendation of Discipline by the Commission

Text: In the stipulations submitted, Judge Lee suggested to the Commission that a public censure be the discipline imposed by the Court. The Office of Special Counsel recommended that Judge Lee be suspended without pay for sixty days. In recommending discipline, the Commission looked to the factors set forth by this court in In re: Chaisson, 549 So.2d 259 (La.1989). After considering the reported cases decided by this Court concerning a judge's violation of the rules that require timely decision making and accurate and timely reporting to the Supreme Court as to cases taken under advisement, [15] and based upon the large number of delinquent cases, compounded by Judge Lee's deficient reporting procedures, the Commission concluded that a suspension without pay is warranted. The Commission further noted that misconduct based upon failure to follow travel and reimbursement procedures presented an ethical issue of first impression in this state. The Commission deemed negligence and inefficiency in handling public dollars as gravely serious, and warranting a suspension without pay, standing alone. Finally, what the Commission viewed as evasive testimony at the hearing constituted an aggravating circumstance sufficient to enhance the discipline. Taking into account all of these factors, the Commission recommended that Judge Lee be suspended without pay for 120 days, as well as ordered to reimburse and pay to the Commission $974.70 in costs.