| For Immediate Release Jul 3, 2001 |
Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson Egregiously Violated Judicial Canons of Ethics Further Action Warranted (Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes public abuse and corruption, salutes the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for having issued a strong rebuke of Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson for his ex parte and improper contacts with the media during the now famous Microsoft antitrust trial, which initially led to a breakup order which has since been overturned. Judge Jackson had made a number of prejudicial remarks which, in part, caused the appeals court to overturn large portions of his decision. Regrettably, the appeals court should have reversed the entire decision, as the appearance of a miscarriage of justice emerged from Judge Jackson�s misconduct. In addition, even a stinging rebuke of Judge Jackson is not sufficient. �His conduct � which is not new and has occurred repeatedly in the past � warrants further proceedings,� stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. �If he does not resign voluntarily, he should be removed from the bench,� Fitton added. �Judges are our most important public servants, and when their colleagues put their own interests, such as appearing in the media through self-aggrandizing secret interviews, they must take firm action, through deeds, not just words, in policing their profession,� added Judicial Watch Chairman Larry Klayman. | |