Scores of ethics complaints against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh have been dismissed because they were filed before he assumed his current position in the apex court, a panel of judges has announced.
The complaints — 83 in all — were filed under the Judicial Conduct and Disability Act. They concern statements made by Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearings to the Supreme Court in 2018 as well as the D.C. Circuit in 2004 and 2006.
The complainants, who included “lawyers, doctors, professors and concerned citizens, among others” charged that Kavanaugh made false statements under oath.
READ MORE: Kavanaugh accuser admits to making up rape accusation as ‘tactic’
However, the act under which the complaints were filed does not apply to Supreme Court justices, the Tenth Circuit Judicial Council said in an order.
“Justice Kavanaugh served as a circuit judge on the D.C. Circuit from May 30, 2006 to Oct. 5, 2018. He was elevated to the Supreme Court of the United States on Oct. 6, 2018,” the council said.
Get breaking National news
“Because Justice Kavanaugh is no longer a circuit, district, bankruptcy or magistrate judge, a circuit judicial council no longer has the power or jurisdiction under the Act to review his conduct.”
- Two dead, 60 hurt after car plows into crowd at Christmas market in Germany
- A rocket from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16, and Palestinians mourn a dozen children in Gaza
- Overheated immigration system needed ‘discipline’ infusion: minister
- Biden to abandon student debt cancellation ahead of Trump taking office
-
![]()
Germany Christmas market attack: At least 2 dead, dozens injured after man drives car into crowd -
![]()
American diplomat meets with new Syrian leader -
![]()
‘Out of touch’: Mayotte residents criticize Macron’s visit to cyclone-ravaged archipelago -
![]()
Knife attack at Croatia school kills 7-year-old child, injures others
WATCH: Protests greet Brett Kavanaugh on first day as Supreme Court justice
U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts took no action on the complaints as they piled up at the Washington appeals court while Kavanaugh’s nomination was pending. He then transferred the complaints to various federal judges.
Kavanaugh was confirmed by a tight margin of 50-48 amid accusations that he sexually assaulted California professor Christine Blasey Ford when the two were teenagers in the 1980s.
READ MORE: 3 in 4 Americans don’t believe Brett Kavanaugh told the complete truth
Activists said the decision proves that laws surrounding judicial misconduct need to be rewritten.
“Today’s decision underscores the need for the Supreme Court to adopt its own code of conduct or for the Congress to write one if the justices cannot be bothered,” said Gabe Roth of Fix the Court.
— With a file from Reuters
Comments