Ethics Charges Dropped

Herman Thomas Paddling  A former circuit court judge accused of 30 ethics violations will not face a judicial hearing.
by Jessica Taloney
Published: Tue, October 02, 2007 - 4:42 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, October 02, 2007 - 5:34 pm CST
Ethics violations against a former circuit court judge are dropped less than 24 hours after he resigned from the bench.
Tuesday, the Judicial Inquiry Commission made a motion to dismiss thirty charges against former Circuit Judge Herman Thomas.
Thomas was accused of manipulating a jail sentence for his cousin and swapping cases on other judge's dockets. Most recently he faced unofficial allegations of paddling prisoners at the Mobile Metro Jail.
On Monday, Thomas, who has been suspended from the bench since March, sent a two sentence resignation letter to Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb saying, "I have decided to retire and vacate the office of Circuit Judge."
A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the Courts tells News Five Thomas does not have enough years of service to retire, so the Chief Justice accepted his letter as a resignation. He will not receive any retirement pension from the courts.
"We certainly support the Chief Justice and her acceptance of Thomas' resignation," said Judge Charles Graddick, who presides over the 13th Circuit Court. "This is not something you expect to happen and we're glad it's over with," he said.
While the ethics charges against Thomas are dropped, the criminal investigation will continue. Mobile County District Attorney John Tyson says his office will continue investigating whether Thomas did anything illegal while on the bench.
A judicial nominating committee will begin taking applications to temporarily replace Thomas. Three names will be sent to the Governor, who makes the final decision.
A permanent replacement will be elected in November 2008.
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I am confused. In the article that some of these comments are referring to, it says that the Judicial Inquiry Commission made a motion to drop the ethics charges against Thomas. It also says that the D.A. will continue to investigate to see if Thomas did anything illegal. The D.A. has no jurisdiction over ethics charges. It looks to me like he is going to investigate the criminal side, which is within his jurisdiction. I don’t understand why these comments are coming down on the D.A. If he can’t find solid ground for criminal charges, then this whole issue should be dropped.

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If we had a decent DA, I am sure that he would continue with the investigation of Judge Thomas, and then prosecute his butt to the fullest extent.  Too bad we don’t have a good DA around.

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I feel that if it was a white judge who had done these things, he would still be tried and prosecuted and not let go to start collecting his state retirement and live the good life.  Everyone wants to talk about racism these days, but it looks to me that it has turned the other way and it is the white people who are discriminated against.  Talk about racial favoritism.  But then again, we do have the sorry excuse for a DA, John Tyson, handling things down town for us.  The whole system looks like one big joke.  How rediculous and embarassing to have to call them Mobile leaders.

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Oh yeah Lets invesitigate Tyson for the same charges Ethics. He has None!!!

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It doesnt surpise me that Tyson dropped the charges. I have it from personal experience that Tyson is no better than Thomas.

Birds of a feather

My reason for saying this is Tysons lack of enforcement on Illegal gambling. You know the video slots in Patches Lounge That pay cash every week In white envelopes. The Old mill lounge and Solomons bar accross from Usa College.

solomons was busted but nothing was Done to the ones responsible the owners Steve and Howard Weller. And solomons already has these illegal gambling machines back in. I have reported it many times to the DA Tyson and even gave evidence to help them bust solomons A few years ago. The DAs office was dishonest Out right lied about what they were doing and now Its a great income for anyone willing own a machine and make untaxed Income.

When I called the the ABC board I was Told that there is a hold on arresting these criminals. Orders given by Tyson Himself.

Wonder whos paying for his protection. Dont You???
I have come to a decision Until tyson is Out of office, Money can buy you out while Tyson is in.

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He should be disbarred, spanked and have to forfeit his state retirement benefits.

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He is a loser and should spend the rest of his life behind bars with the people he has put there himself.  He broke the law for his family and for other prisoners.  He can’t be trusted.  The Alabama Bar Assosciation should disbar him as he will probably begin practicing law again.  He should not be allowed to do anything in the legal profession.

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I supported Judge Thomas for many years and believed that he was trying to help people that got into trouble. He seemed to be trying to give them a second chance. I am now glad that he has resigned. I am also glad that he will no be getting retirement. No public official that betrays the public’s trust should get any type of government retirement. I know that we have had officials in the past that have continued to receive government pensions even while they were in prison. A public official that is convicted of a crime should forfeit any pension that he has earned. This would make them think hard about what they are doing.

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