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Charges: Judge's slush fund equipped police agencies

June 17 -- A Middle Georgia judge allegedly used an illicit slush fund to buy tens of thousands of dollars of police equipment – then lied about it to local authorities.

The judge, Ken Fowler, faces 16 counts of abusing his office, including financial mismanagement and courtroom misconduct, according to formal charges filed July 11 by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission.

Fowler improperly allowed defendants to “buy out” the community service portion of their sentences, then deposited the fees in a local bank account under his control, the commission alleged.

The judge used the account to pay for tasers and radar equipment, drug test kits, an intoximeter, cameras and video equipment, patrol car repairs and other expenses – even a headstone for a deputy. The complaint itemized more than $30,000 of expenditures from the account.

Agencies benefiting from the purchases included the sheriff, the Georgia State Patrol and the Department of Natural Resources.

Fowler omitted the bank account from a list requested by Twiggs County officials, the commission charged.

The JQC’s complaint also outlines a pattern of alleged misconduct in the courtroom, including verbal abuse and prejudicial statements to defendants. The complaint says Fowler:

-- Told one defendant, “God damn, you asking for trouble.”

-- Insinuated that another defendant provided sexual favors to a state trooper during a traffic stop: “You must have really turned it on. You must be something good. You must have really showed [the officer] a good time.”

--  Referred to African-American defendants as “colored.”

== Suggested to one burglary suspect, “You want to waive your right to an attorney and get this over with?”

In court, Fowler also made statements indicating he had investigated cases befopre him on his own, the state commission said, and convicted t\defebndants of trraffic offenses based on notes written by officers who did not show up in court.

Fowler has 30 days to respond. The commission could censure or suspend the judge or remove him from office.

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