Opinion ID: 1854995
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 21

Heading: Cindy Brandt

Text: Brandt is a free-lance court reporter and has worked and traveled with respondent. While at the courthouse in Rushville, respondent discovered that Brandt was living with a man she intended to marry. According to Brandt, respondent said, `Oh, that's too bad,' and `Well, that's too bad because that makes you a used woman and a tramp and nobody will ever want to marry you.' This comment embarrassed Brandt, who testified that she does not think a judge should say such things to an employee. Respondent testified that he believes his discussion with Brandt occurred in a car and admits that an exchange about her living arrangement did take place. According to respondent, upon discovering that Brandt was living with a man, he said, `I'm sorry to hear that,' and proceeded to tell her that statistics show that premarital cohabitation reduces the chances for a long-lasting marriage. Although he regrets hurting Brandt, respondent denies that he called her a tramp or a used woman. The master found that this incident occurred as told by Brandt and was in violation of Canons 2 and 3(B)(4) of the Code of Judicial Conduct and § 24-722. However, rather than treat this incident as falling under count 1 of the complaint, the master considered it as falling under count 2 of the complaint. Our review of the record and pleadings in this matter leads us to conclude that this event should be treated as falling under count 1 of the complaint.