TRI-CITIES, Wash. – The Washington State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a response to the resignation of Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court Judge Sam Swanberg.
Swanberg announced his resignation in a press release from his personal attorney at Johnson & Orr, which says the Commission is insisting for him to admit to an assault case that he was acquitted for.
The press release alleges that despite his acquittal, Swanberg must still defend himself against the assault allegations in a hearing through the Commission that he says is acting “as judge, prosecutor and jury.”
He noted that the hearing “would be no more than political grandstanding and a legal circus.”
Swanberg said that his resignation would spare the people of Benton and Franklin Counties of the hearing, however the Commission says otherwise.
NonStop Local reached out to the Commission, which noted that the press release contained a number of inaccuracies, and that despite his resignation, the Commission’s proceeding has not been terminated.
Under Rule 2 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, the Commission “has continuing jurisdiction over former judges regarding allegations of misconduct occurring prior to or during service as a judge.”
The Commission’s response continues by stating that its proceeding is not parallel to a criminal prosecution and is used “to earn and maintain trust and confidence in the independence, impartiality and competence of the judiciary.”
According to court documents, Swanberg was a judge on the rape case for double-murderer and abductor Elias Huizar, who committed suicide following a police chase in Oregon on April 23.
Johnson & Orr confirmed with NonStop Local that the resignation was not related to the Huizar case.
NonStop Local has reached out to Johnson & Orr for further comment.
