The Louisiana Supreme Court ordered the removal of Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts from judicial office on Dec. 11, following a recommendation from the state Judiciary Commission. The decision represents a rare instance of judicial removal for misconduct involving false statements and ethical violations.
The court's opinion, authored by Chief Justice Weimer, adopted the Commission's recommendation that Judge Foxworth-Roberts be stripped of her position for multiple instances of dishonesty and misconduct. The removal order came after an investigation that began with an anonymous complaint filed in May 2021.
Judge Foxworth-Roberts began serving on the Nineteenth Judicial District Court, Division M, in East Baton Rouge Parish on Aug. 15, 2020. She was re-elected to a full term in November 2020, which commenced Jan. 1, 2021. Her tenure was cut short following the ethics investigation that uncovered a pattern of false statements across multiple contexts.
According to the Commission's findings, Judge Foxworth-Roberts violated several provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct and the Louisiana Constitution. The charges against her included making false and misleading statements regarding her judicial campaigns, providing false information to police investigating a reported burglary of her car, and withholding information while providing false, incomplete, or misleading statements during the investigation by the Office of Special Counsel.
The Notice of Hearing issued by the Commission on Feb. 23, 2024, alleged violations of Canons 1, 2(A), 7(A)(9), 7(B)(1), and 7(B)(2) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, as well as Article V, Section 25(C) of the Louisiana Constitution. These provisions govern judicial integrity, ethical conduct, and campaign activities.
The investigation by the Office of Special Counsel began following an anonymous complaint received in May 2021. The complaint triggered a comprehensive review of Judge Foxworth-Roberts' conduct that ultimately led to formal charges being filed against her by the Judiciary Commission.
The Supreme Court's decision was not unanimous, reflecting the complexity and gravity of removing a sitting judge from office. Justice Hughes dissented for the reasons assigned by Justice Griffin, while Justice Griffin wrote a separate dissenting opinion. Justice Guidry also filed a dissenting opinion. However, the majority of the court supported the removal recommendation.
Justice McCallum wrote an additional concurring opinion, which was joined by Justice Crain and Justice Cole. The varied opinions suggest the justices engaged in thorough consideration of the appropriate sanctions for Judge Foxworth-Roberts' conduct.
Judicial removal cases are relatively rare in Louisiana and require clear and convincing evidence of misconduct that undermines public confidence in the judicial system. The Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to maintain the highest standards of integrity and honesty, both in their official capacity and in their interactions with law enforcement and ethics investigators.
The case highlights the importance of judicial accountability and the mechanisms in place to address misconduct by sitting judges. The Louisiana Judiciary Commission serves as the investigative body for judicial ethics complaints, while the Louisiana Supreme Court makes final determinations on disciplinary actions.
Judge Foxworth-Roberts' removal leaves a vacancy on the Nineteenth Judicial District Court that will need to be filled according to Louisiana's judicial appointment or election procedures. The timing and method for replacing her will depend on state law governing judicial vacancies.
The decision also sends a clear message about the standards expected of Louisiana judges and the consequences for violating those standards. Making false statements to law enforcement and ethics investigators represents a serious breach of judicial ethics that undermines the integrity of the judicial system.
The case demonstrates the multi-layered accountability system for Louisiana judges, involving both the Judiciary Commission's investigative role and the Supreme Court's ultimate authority over judicial discipline. This system ensures that allegations of judicial misconduct receive thorough investigation and appropriate sanctions when warranted.
The removal order takes effect immediately, ending Judge Foxworth-Roberts' judicial career and serving as a reminder to all Louisiana judges about the importance of maintaining ethical standards both on and off the bench. The case will likely be cited in future judicial ethics proceedings as an example of the serious consequences that can result from dishonesty and misconduct by judicial officers.