DOJ requests recusal of Georgia election case judge over misconduct scandal
The Department of Justice has asked an Obama-appointed federal judge, embroiled in judicial misconduct, to recuse herself from its election records lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
TL;DR
- DOJ requested U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross recuse herself from an election records lawsuit against Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
- The request is based on alleged judicial misconduct, specifically attending a partisan event honoring Fulton County DA Fani Willis.
- The 11th Judicial Circuit determined Ross engaged in judicial misconduct by attending the event promoting Willis's campaign.
- The DOJ argues that a judge who attended a celebratory event for a prosecutor known for prosecuting a Republican President cannot preside over a case concerning that President's election integrity efforts.
- Judge Ross was nominated by President Obama in 2014 and serves on the Atlanta-based federal court.
- The lawsuit involves Georgia's voter rolls, with Raffensperger refusing to release certain information.
- The DOJ's filing mentioned other instances of misconduct, including alleged improper sexual activity in chambers, but stated these were not the subject of the recusal motion.