District court judge accused of ethics violation for second time
December 16, 2011
BETHEL, Alaska: District court judge Dennis Cummings faces his second breach of ethics charge in four years. In a complaint filed by the Judicial Conduct Commission, Judge Cummings is accused of talking with a prosecutor outside of court proceedings.[1]
"By suggesting legal authority in a pending matter in two off-record conversations with the prosecutor in those pending matters, Judge Cummings engaged in ex parte conversations that could be viewed as aiding the prosecution."[2] -Complaint issued by the Judicial Conduct Commission
This is the second instance Cummings has come under scrutiny for an ethical breach. In July 2009 he was suspended by the Alaska Supreme Court for passing a note to a witness during a 2008 domestic violence trial.[1] After this incident, the Alaska Judicial Council deemed Cummings unqualified for re-election in 2008, but voters retained him.[2]
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