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Aug. 06, 2008
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JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE COMMISSION: Judge denies charges

Political enemies responsible for misconduct allegations, Halverson says

By DAVID KIHARA
REVIEW-JOURNAL
ON THE WEB
Slideshow: Elizabeth Halverson testifies on day two of the trial


District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, suspended from the bench, answers questions late Tuesday in her case before the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission. Halverson denied she has acted inappropriately as a judge.
Photo by K.M. Cannon.



District Judge Kathy Hardcastle, right, testifies Tuesday at the Las Vegas Convention Center on the second day of proceedings probing the conduct of District Judge Elizabeth Halverson, foreground.
Photo by Gary Thompson.

The fight between suspended District Judge Elizabeth Halverson and her accusers turned into a brawl Tuesday when she took the witness stand and angrily denied the charges against her.

In combative testimony during the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission hearing, Halverson said she never treated her former bailiff like a personal servant, touched him inappropriately or ordered him to spy on court staff. She maintained that she has been persecuted by political enemies who want to remove her from the bench.

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    • "You're asking me if I believe that Judge (Kathy) Hardcastle has bad feelings toward me and that's why she has an agenda against me? The answer is yes I do," said Halverson, who is asking a federal judge today to delay the hearings.

    Hardcastle, who testified earlier Tuesday, denied she targeted Halverson for unfair treatment.

    Halverson's testimony marked the first time in more than a year that she publicly addressed the accusations against her in detail. During her hour-long testimony, Halverson and the commission's special prosecutor, Dorothy Nash Holmes, verbally sparred with and shouted over each other.

    Halverson also appeared to take offense when Holmes mistakenly referred to Halverson as a former judge.

    "I'm still a sitting judge now. I'm just suspended. I'm not going to be denigrated," she told Holmes.

    Halverson, who is a running for re-election, has been on paid suspension for more than a year. During that time she has continued to draw her $130,000 annual salary.

    She was elected to Department 23 in 2006 and was on the bench for less than two months before accusations about her behavior surfaced.

    This week, Halverson filed a civil rights complaint in federal court against Holmes and the discipline commission. The complaint alleges the commission is denying Halverson her constitutional right to a fair hearing by withholding information necessary to defend herself.

    Her attorneys also asked a federal judge to temporarily stop her hearing this week in Las Vegas. U.S. District Judge Robert Jones agreed to hear arguments in the case today.

    The discipline commission filed a complaint against Halverson that accused her of 14 counts of misconduct. It said that Halverson mistreated her staff, could not adequately conduct trials and fell asleep on the bench.

    If Jones rules against Halverson, she is expected to retake the stand today. Halverson's disciplinary hearing, a quasi-judicial proceeding similar to a trial, was expected to wrap up Friday.

    At the end of the hearing, the seven commissioners would decide whether there is enough evidence of misconduct. If so, she could be removed from the bench.

    The accusations against Halverson have leaned toward the bizarre. Former bailiff Johnnie Jordan testified Monday during an emotional hearing that Halverson ordered him to give her back massages, rub her feet and heat her lunches using a microwave kept in a courthouse bathroom.

    In her testimony Tuesday, Halverson denied the charges.

    Halverson also testified that she never fell asleep during trials or improperly communicated with jurors. Halverson, who was accused of eating dinner with jurors who were deliberating in a criminal case, admitted she did so but said the incident was not something that she was trying to hide; they were in a courtroom, and the food was served family style.

    She said they never talked about the case and mentioned that other judges had dinner alongside jurors.

    Hardcastle, who testified for more than three hours Monday and Tuesday, said Halverson did not respect the court and forced staff to spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with complaints against her. Court staff and even jurors complained about Halverson's behavior, she said, noting that some judges would refuse to attend scheduled meetings if they knew Halverson would be there.

    Halverson formerly worked as a clerk at the District Court but was let go by Hardcastle, who has a policy of keeping clerks typically for one year. Halverson also ran against Hardcastle's ex-husband, Gerald Hardcastle, who was a Family Court judge.

    Following the hearing, Halverson answered questions after she was mobbed by reporters. She reiterated that there is bad blood between her and Hardcastle.

    "We are politicians whether you want to accept that or not. Politicians have political enemies," she said. "Being realistic about who your political enemies are does not make you crazy. It makes you knowledgeable."

    But Halverson also said she was thrilled that she was able to testify and tell her side of the story Tuesday.

    "This is a bunch of hype," she said. "I have the absolute right to be acquitted of these charges."

    Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.



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    Current Word Count:

    Helen Weils wrote on August 07, 2008 08:14 AM: Good morning. I'm a hard core Libertarian. Thanks for all of your attention. Played right into my plan.
    Hey B.O. supporters, have you checked your tire pressure yet? Your messiah
    has told you how to solve the energy crisis. Can you say praise Allah!
    PARIS HILTON FOR PRESIDENT!!!!


    sadstate wrote on August 07, 2008 12:58 AM: For those that can only go on about Halverson's appearance. GROW UP.

    While it is clear she is not a poster child for good health, her obesity has nothing to do with her ability to do the job.

    It is sad that people feel free to demean, and say disgusting things about this woman. Isn't this what the judge is "alledgedly" on trial for?
    Being disrespectful to people? What does that say about those of you that are doing the same thing.?

    Oh, and Johnny Jordan. I DON'T believe YOU at all. When will you be filing your lawsuit? LOL.. I am sure it won't be long. You were more of an embarrassment than the Judge you say abused you. Any "MAN" who would allow the treatement you supposedly suffered is NO Man at all. What would make you think foot rubs and massages would be part of your job? Were you in a massuse position or Bailiff?


    ..temujin ... khan of the yakka mongols ... wrote on August 06, 2008 09:55 PM: I saw Judge Halverson and the cops at a donut fest and they all looked happy to me....


    Shannon wrote on August 06, 2008 06:47 PM: joe:

    I think Halverson is smarter than Helen as is 95% of the population.


    joe wrote on August 06, 2008 06:39 PM: Ahhh, the weird and wacky right-wing world of Helen Weils returns.

    Remember this folks, don't let "Hell On Wheels" get to you, as Helen's real name is Rush Limbaugh.

    Helen is a hard-core Republican, which is why I'm suprised cops became a target of Helen. Most cops tend to vote Republican because of the tougher stance on crime by conservatives. Helen admits to liking Halverson, but apparently hates cops.....enough said.

    Oh yea, and Helen is also an idiot. After watching this garbage from Pudge Heferson, Helen still admits to voting for "Halverson the Hut"....maybe Helen and the "Jumbo Jurist" are kindred spirits both emotionally and physically?

    .....Waiting for Helen's moronic response.


    Shannon wrote on August 06, 2008 06:22 PM: Helen Weils:

    While we're at it, genius, you should take a look at this:

    http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/08/inflate_your_tires_bush_41_ene.html

    Looks like Bush's daddy advocated the same thing. What do you have to say about that? Probably nothing because when confronted by facts, you respond with name calling.


    Shannon wrote on August 06, 2008 06:14 PM: Helen Weils:

    What about the fact that you didn't even know that Halverson was an attorney? Do you only half read things? How about talking about that?


    Helen Weils wrote on August 06, 2008 06:01 PM: Hey Ryan, did I hurt your wittle feelings?
    Speaking of fat cops. There were so many of them hanging around under the trees NOT working when Bush was in town
    that traffic was at a standstill. One was directing traffic, 16, counted them, 16 were hanging around talking under the tree. And YES, there were some BIG BOYS! Some REALLY BIG BOYS!

    This is at the same time they were clammoring for mo' money
    for mo' honey for them, that is. Remember the 40% raises they generously
    gave themselves right after they got the
    1/2 cent sales increase for mo' cops?
    Remember that next time they want an increase. Oh, that's right, they want another one right now! Surprise!!

    On the way down there, we also observed 2 motorcycle cops who were also more than slightly overweight (is that better Ryan?) flirting with a very lovely blonde. How do I know it was flirting? Well, because they were leaning on a wall and one of the cops had his leg up behind him like he was
    a girl getting a kiss from a really
    handsome guy. Soooo cute. His buddy
    was equally enamored with her and she with them as she twirled her hair. What a lovely display.
    Meanwhile, just try and get a policeman to show up if your car gets stolen.
    Maybe you cops don't like her because she doesn't play your games. Either way, she was elected fair and square.
    If you don't like that fact, too bad!
    Get over it! Fat isn't a crime last time I looked. Look at YOUR reaction to the mere suggestion that there are some FAT COPS out there!
    If the voters want her recalled or voted out let them do it. Leave the political hit jobs out of it. It's not YOUR place to remove a judge.


    Helen Weils wrote on August 06, 2008 05:37 PM: Hey Shannon, Kiss my grits!
    Go inflate your tires so your messiah
    B.O. will be happy. LOL!!!


    Mike R wrote on August 06, 2008 04:29 PM: Attherjc is right about Halversons foot rubber. How long before he files the lawsuit, and what will be his grounds? The 130,000 salary is nothing compared to what this will eventually cost us.
    I loved the fake raw emotion during his testimony. Boo Hoo I had to microwave in the bathroom after Halverson moved her bowels.
    Waah I had to pick lint off her robes.
    Sniffle, I had to get on my knees to put on her shoes, give me a break.


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