In an explosive development, it was revealed that several high-ranking judges, including the Supreme Court Chief Justice Brian Boatright, knew of Denver juvenile court judge D. Brett Woods’ drinking problems for years but failed to report them. Woods resigned in February amid a misconduct inquiry by the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline. The investigation was prompted by recent allegations of misconduct, with Woods’ use of alcohol at the core of the case.
Despite knowing about Woods’ drinking, the judges did not report it, and instead, a courthouse manager who tried to confront Woods faced retaliation and was ultimately fired. This disturbing revelation has raised questions about the judges’ silence and lack of reporting, especially in light of ethical obligations to report such misconduct.
The pressure on Boatright has increased as this isn’t the first time his conduct has been scrutinized. Several allegations related to judicial misconduct have surfaced, including accusations of slow-walking complaints and denying allegations of misconduct cover-ups.
The new complaint against Woods has brought to light a culture of fear and silence within the judicial system, with employees hesitant to speak out due to fear of retaliation. The ongoing investigation will shed light on the handling of misconduct within the judiciary and the accountability of judges to uphold ethical standards.
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