Judge Carl Brown has resigned effective June 30, 2021, citing health and family reasons.
The resignation is part of an agreement with the Judicial Qualifications Commission Investigative Panel and has been filed with the Georgia Supreme Court.
ENTIRE REPORT CAN BE FOUND HERE
The commission is investigating Brown on three allegations of judicial misconduct.
The first allegation said Judge Brown “engaged in conduct, actions, and/or appointments regarding employees of the Juvenile Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit that constituted nepotism and favoritism.”
The second charge involved Judge Brown and the Magistrate Court in Burke County. It maintained that the judge was “attempting to improperly influence decisions regarding appointments.”
The commission said the last item was to investigate “whether Judge Brown improperly inserted himself into the plea negotiation process.”
MORE: JQC Complaints Could Mean the End for Chief Judge Carl Brown
Although the resignation is not effective until June 30, 2021, Brown agreed to relinquish immediately all administrative and supervisory authority over juvenile and magistrate courts in the Augusta Judicial Circuit.
The agreement says Brown may request appointment to senior judge status but will never seek, request or accept election or appointment to any judicial office.
Judge Brown has served as a Superior Court judge since 1994. He became chief judge with the retirement of Judge Carlisle Overstreet. Judge James Blanchard follows Judge Brown in seniority; however he is one of three judges who will join the new Columbia Judicial Circuit, as will Judge Sheryl Jolly. That means Judge Danny Craig has the most seniority of the remaining AJC judges.
Brown tendered his resignation on April 21, and Gov. Brian Kemp accepted it in a letter dated April 27.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
