Judge Impeached Over Bail Bonds Corruption

U.S. District Judge Thomas Porteous of Louisiana was convicted by the Senate on four articles of impeachment. That marks just the eigth time in US history a federal judge has been removed from the bench by Congress.

Prosecutors alledged that drinking problems and gambling woes lead the judge to take money from bail bondsmen and lawyers of cases for which he was presiding. In addition, he was accused of using a false name to file for bankruptcy and lying to Congress during his judicial confirmation.

Louis Marcotte, a New Orleans bail bondsman, testified that he provided meals, vacations and other items of value to the judge. In return, the judge was said to have raised bail amounts which resulted in higher bail bondsman fees for Marcotte.