Opinion ID: 2562751
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: concurring opinion, dissenting as to sanction only

Text: COMMISSIONER FAYETTE, with whom COMMISSIONER SHELDON joins: I submit this separate opinion to explain one facet of our decision in this case. I respectfully dissent as to the sanction recommended by the majority of the Commission. I am in fundamental agreement with my fellow commissioners in this case. With a single discrete exception, I agree with all of the conclusions we have reached. I concur in the factual and legal conclusions stated in the commission's majority decision. I agree that Counts I through IV were proven by clear and convincing evidence. I also conclude that Count V was not proven. Finally, I agree with the factual synopsis and legal conclusions described in the majority opinion. Our findings as to these matters are unanimous. I dissent only regarding the recommended sanction in this case. I dissent because the sanction that the majority of the Commissioners, and myself, deem most appropriate for Judge Cummings' misconductsuspensionmay not be authorized by statute. Because I conclude that the next lower sanctioncensureis inadequate, I part with my fellow commissioners, and recommend removal. I write separately to explain my reasoning.