Judge Ross Rewrites Apology Amid Ethics Scandal

Federal Judge Eleanor Ross has issued a second set of apology letters to former clerks concerning her "offensive conduct," including a yearslong affair with a police commander in her court chambers. The veteran jurist in Atlanta admitted her behavior was "patently wrong" and expressed immense regret. These letters follow an initial private reprimand for ethical lapses, which some former clerks found insufficient. Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the 11th Circuit is considering a new inquiry following complaints about the initial apology's brevity and vagueness.

Judge Ross also apologized for suggesting that the clerk who reported her was retaliating. This misconduct, which included lying to colleagues and attending a campaign event for Fani Willis, has occurred amid broader scrutiny of the federal judiciary. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit's judicial council previously rebuked her. Two Republican congressmen have filed impeachment resolutions, and the Justice Department is seeking her recusal from a high-profile lawsuit.

The scandal underscores debates about the leniency afforded to federal judges and the effectiveness of the judicial disciplinary system. Legal ethics experts note the rarity of being forced to rewrite an apology as a sanction. Judge Ross, appointed in 2014 by President Barack Obama, has given no indication of resigning despite calls for her to step down from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Her tenure included overseeing the trial of Todd and Julie Chrisley.