Federal judge Mark Fuller resigns amidst domestic violence allegations
According to various news reports, an Alabama federal court judge accused of domestic violence has delivered his resignation to President Barack Obama. AL.com is reporting that attorneys for U.S. District Court Judge Mark Fuller have confirmed the judge’s resignation effective August 1st. Last summer, Judge Fuller was arrested for alleged battery of his wife, Kerri Fuller. Several members of Congress have urged a thorough investigation of the case, including U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell who has called for the federal judge’s impeachment. In a written statement following Judge Fuller’s announcement, the Congresswoman had this to say: “News of Judge Fuller’s impending resignation is a welcome outcome to a very painful breach of the public trust. His resignation will be the culmination of a drawn out process that was woefully unnecessary. The public trust was violated the moment his wife phoned the police. “Justice was not served. We sent the wrong message to victims of domestic violence by allowing a federal judge to collect a paycheck — without managing a caseload — and ultimately having his record expunged. “Fuller failed to uphold our most fundamental values. Perhaps the only consolation is that he has chosen to spare his family and our nation of the expense of a drawn out impeachment process.”
U.S. Senator asks 11th Circuit for update on arrested Alabama judge
The chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is seeking an update on the personnel action involving an Alabama federal judge arrested on a spousal abuse charge in Atlanta now that an investigation into the case apparently is complete. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, released a letter Friday asking the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for information about its probe of U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller of Montgomery. A judicial panel has been reviewing Fuller’s case for months, and some members of Congress are calling for Fuller’s resignation or impeachment. The letter from Grassley to the court said Congress is interested in seeing the case handled expeditiously. Atlanta police arrested Fuller in August after Kelli Fuller called 911 saying he was beating her in their hotel room. The two have since divorced, said the judge’s lawyer, Barry Ragsdale. Fuller reached a plea deal with prosecutors in Atlanta, and the charge was dismissed and Fuller’s record expunged following about six months of once-a-week group counseling sessions, said Ragsdale. Screening for alcohol and drugs dependency showed no problems, according to Ragsdale. Fuller isn’t currently hearing cases but is still being paid. Grassley said the case needs to be resolved. “The judge’s alleged actions raise serious questions, and, if true, will significantly undermine his ability to serve in his current capacity,” Grassley said in a statement. Ragsdale said the investigation into Fuller’s actions is complete after a special committee of judges heard from about two dozen witnesses including Fuller, Kelli Fuller, and his previous wife. Aside from reviewing what happened the night of Fuller’s arrest, Ragsdale said, the committee considered whether Fuller’s actions were part of a pattern of behavior. “They went back into things that happened five or six years ago,” Ragsdale said. The final hearing was held Tuesday in Atlanta, he said. The committee’s report now goes to the 11th Circuit judicial council, which will decide whether to take action against Fuller. Ragsdale said judges didn’t indicate when a decision might come, but Fuller has “complete confidence” in the thoroughness of the report. Alabama’s two U.S. senators, Republicans Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby, have both said the GOP appointee should quit. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
