Jackson Jambalaya

Doug Anderson's daughter said he will support Joe Lewis as his replacement on the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. The same Joe Lewis who was removed from the bench in 2005 by the Mississippi Supreme Court for making inappropriate advances towards several women. Jackie Anderson Woods made the statement during a press conference announcing Mr. Anderson's resignation.



Just one small, little problem. The Mississippi Supreme Court kicked Mr. Lewis off the bench in 2005 after the Commission on Judicial Performance recommended his removal. The Commission took this action after issuing two reprimands. The Court ruled Mr. Lewis never paid his fines associated with the reprimands (Hint to judges: Never a good idea to blow off the Mississippi Supreme Court when they discipline you as you never know when you might be in front of the court again.) involving Mr. Lewis's sexual harassment of women at the courthouse. The Court stated Mr. Lewis made improper sexual advances towards women that were unwelcome, undesired, and unwanted. Two specific incidents were cited in the opinion:

*One women came to the courthouse to obtain relief after her wages were garnished even though the debt was satisfied. The Court said

"When she went to the Courthouse, in hopes of finding an explanation for what she felt was unjust, she came into contact with Judge Lewis, whom she had never met before this specific instance. Once Doe entered Judge Lewis’ office so that they could discuss her case, he made several inappropriate sexual advances, all of which she refused. Some of these sexual advances included his suggestion that they go to a private, secluded area in the courthouse. Judge Lewis began their conversation by describing in sexually explicit detail an encounter with another woman. Judge Lewis denied this account. No other witnesses were privy to the conversation. Judge Lewis informed Doe that he would help her and explained that all he had to do was get her back to court to stop the garnishment..... Judge Lewis also called Doe by telephone at her home, continuing to assure her that he was “helping” her or working on a resolution for her case." (p.3)

*"Rhonda Roe, a fictitious name, the second complainant, filed a civil action in Judge
Lewis’ court which involved another woman stalking her. Roe had never met Judge Lewis prior
to filing this civil action. Judge Lewis had numerous ex parte communications with Roe, in
person and by phone, and made sexual advances toward Roe while in his office during one of
those meetings. Judge Lewis began the sexual conversation with Roe, commented on how
attractive Roe was and said that he was interested in her. Judge Lewis further noted how pretty her hair was and how her ex-boyfriend was going to be sorry for leaving her. He thus told Roe that he wanted to come by her house to see the damage that the defendant in her case had done to her car. Roe testified that Judge Lewis did come by her house, but she did not open the door. Again, Judge Lewis denied the allegations, and there were no other witnesses. When asked if Judge Lewis initiated the phone calls, Roe stated “I can’t remember, but whenever we would–we would talk on the phone, it was always–it was hardly ever about my case. Always pertaining to him and getting with him.” Judge Lewis improperly dismissed Roe’s default judgment and proceeded with the hearing of a counter-suit against Roe after numerous ex parte communications with both parties." (p.4)

The Court said although there were no other witnesses to these incidents, it was also highly unlikely three different women who did not know each other all filed similar complaints against the Joe Lewis. The Court dismissed the complaint from the third woman but still said

"As the Commission noted, we agree that it is more than mere coincidence that three different women, who are perfect strangers to each other, have made sexual misconduct allegations against the same individual which allegedly occurred on different occasions, during different times of the year, and even in different years."

It should also be noted the Court cited an earlier private reprimand against Mr. Lewis and stated the wayward judge did not pay his fines, did not accept his reprimands, and publicly lied about his reprimands. The Court said "Prior disciplinary proceedings and sanctions have had no effect on Judge Lewis."