Federal Judge Eleanor Ross Reprimanded for Misconduct

Eleanor Ross, a federal district court judge for the Northern District of Georgia, received a private reprimand for engaging in sexual conduct with a police officer in her chambers, which was audible to law clerks. The reprimand was issued following a report from a special judicial conduct committee of the Eleventh Circuit, which stated that the relationship, lasting two years, created a workplace environment that was uncomfortable for clerks and posed a conflict of interest. The officer involved was identified as Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief Kelley Collier. The committee's report indicated that Ross did not preside over any cases involving the officer or the police department during the relevant period. Ross has been a judge since her nomination by President Barack Obama in 2014, and she previously served as a state court judge and a federal prosecutor. The reprimand has drawn criticism for being too lenient, as it allowed Ross to remain anonymous and did not address potential conflicts of interest in her courtroom. Additionally, the report noted that Ross had attended a partisan political event and made false statements during the investigation into her conduct. Ross is the first Black woman to serve as a judge on the Northern District of Georgia.