Pace quickens for impeaching convicted judge

[June 09, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Members of Congress are moving quickly to force a convicted federal judge from Texas out of office so they can avoid paying his annual salary while he serves time in prison.

A task force formed by the House Judiciary Committee scheduled a meeting for Tuesday morning to begin considering what articles of impeachment -- essentially charges -- they want to recommend against U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent.

Kent, the first sitting judge to face sex crime charges, is headed to federal prison in a week to serve a 33-month sentence for lying to prosecutors about sexually abusing two female employees. Both women told their stories to the task force last week, saying they were cornered and forced to engage in sexual acts against their will.

Kent pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice charges last month. As part of the plea deal, he admitted he tried to force Cathy McBroom, his former case manager, into unwanted sex acts in 2003 and 2007, and did the same with Donna Wilkerson, his secretary, from 2004 through at least 2005.

The Associated Press does not normally name alleged victims of sexual abuse, but McBroom's attorney and her family have used her name in publicly discussing the case. Wilkerson knew her lawyer gave her name to reporters during Kent's trial.

Kent had hoped to retire on disability to continue collecting his $174,000 annual salary and benefits. But that request was rejected by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He told President Barack Obama in a letter that he would resign in June 2010.

Members of the House have balked at that offer, rejecting the notion that Kent would be paid his federal salary for a year while he is behind bars.

Federal judges are appointed for life. Impeachment is the only way to remove them. In a letter to the task force, led by Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Kent said if he is forced out, he would be penniless.

Should the task force recommend Kent's impeachment to the full Judiciary Committee, it could meet and vote to send the charges to the House. The House then would vote whether to impeach Kent, which would trigger a trial in the Senate.

Kent's attorney, Dick DeGuerin, did not return a request for comment Monday afternoon.

[Associated Press; By SUZANNE GAMBOA]

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