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May. 28, 2007
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JANE ANN MORRISON: Judge just doesn't see failure to treat people with dignity, respect

JANE ANN MORRISON
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The District Judge Elizabeth Halverson saga is starting to creep beyond the borders of Nevada and into the California news media, while locally the docudrama is the first thing many of us read each day. When they make a TV special of it, I'd like to suggest a name: Power and Paranoia.

Halverson spent nine years as a fairly lowly law clerk. (I always assumed the 425-pound woman, according to her driver's license, stayed as long as she could for the county's health insurance coverage.) After she was fired, she ran for one judgeship, lost, but in 2006 won on her second try.

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    • Before long, stories started coming out of the Regional Justice Center about her contemptuous behavior toward her staff, particularly her bailiff, Johnny Jordan. Halverson, who had never had real power, was relishing it, throwing a pencil on the floor and ordering him to pick it up. Jordan was ordered to give her foot rubs and back massages. He has since filed a complaint against his former boss alleging discrimination based on sex and race. He is black and says she treated him like a "house boy."

    Her court clerk, Katherine Streuber, said the judge's behavior was "vile, angry, degrading to anyone within her path." Streuber also objected to being called "the evil one" and "the anti-Christ" by the judge. (We in the news business hear that every other day, but courthouse employees are unaccustomed.)

    Court officials realized they were going to be slapped with multiple lawsuits alleging hostile work environment if no action was taken. Three judges were asked to help Halverson, Family Court Judge Art Ritchie and District Judges Stewart Bell and Sally Loehrer.

    A memo details an April 6 meeting between Halverson and the three judges:

    • She's told it's inappropriate to have staff rub her feet or her back. Her answer: She'd told the bailiff to stop that, that he'd become too familiar with her.

    • She's told she should not require staff to show up at 6:45 a.m. to wait for her arrival at 8 or 8:30 a.m. Her answer: She'd told the bailiff not to come early, but he wouldn't listen.

    • She's told she should not have staff make her lunch. Answer: The bailiff wants to make her lunch.

    • She's told there are 20-25 orders missing. Answer: She's shocked.

    • She's told it's unethical to make statements showing bias against attorneys, particularly those who didn't give to her campaign. Answer: Yes, she said it, but since nobody gave her money for her campaign, she's not discriminating against anyone.

    • She's told the demeaning way she talks to her husband, Ed, referring to him as a "bitch" (and worse), is offensive to staff. Answer: She doesn't know why that would upset the staff, but the solution is to have him not come to her chambers.

    • Told she should treat people with dignity and respect, Halverson said she didn't know specifically what she was doing wrong.

    After she answered every allegation made against her, Judge Bell told her, "If you can't see it, you can't fix it. Get some psychological help."

    On April 12, the three judges tried to meet with Halverson again at 4:30 p.m. She was in a civil nonjury trial. The three judges waited until 6 p.m. before leaving. Later, the judges said they confirmed her trial was over, but she waited in the courtroom until she confirmed they had departed. The judges said Halverson will "falsely" claim she was in trial. Essentially, the judges called her a liar.

    Buoyed by power, convinced everyone is against her, Elizabeth Halverson, 49, has achieved what seems to be her heart's desire: She is the center of attention. She's page one news, and she leads the nightly television news.

    The voters now know Elizabeth Halverson, but she has 18 months left on the bench before they can vote her out of office. That's too long a wait. The Judicial Discipline Commission, which has the power to remove her from office, cannot confirm if a complaint has been filed. However, I'm told investigators are now working a complaint against her.

    Meanwhile, everyone who voted for her can enjoy the circus under the big tent we call the Regional Justice Center.

    Jane Ann Morrison's column appears Monday, Thursday and Saturday. E-mail her at Jane@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0275.



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    Doc GK wrote on August 21, 2008 10:57 AM: this person is absurd, she is a disgrace to any profession, l have fought the battle of the bulge my entire life, however l have real issue when someone uses it as an excuse for anything and reaches the point where she can't ambulate on her own 2 feet. being in the medical profession l have real issue with all the medical excuses, they have nothing to do with her mouth and attitude! if she is that invalid then she needs to retire NOT sit in judgment of others, she certainly has issue with others sitting in judgment of her. this person is disgusting in so many ways!


    Victoria wrote on August 05, 2008 11:39 PM: seven-member discipline commission will decide whether Halverson should be removed from the bench permanently


    denise villaret wrote on July 07, 2008 07:20 PM: Ms. Morrison,
    You columns are always poignant. The one today re the Rimers particularly moved me. It's a story that should not be forgotton. I'm a former CASA that would still be if not for getting burned out by the incompetence of the Family Court system. You strike me as being a very compassionate person. You can and will make a difference. Thank you.
    Denise Villaret


    denise villaret wrote on July 07, 2008 07:02 PM: Ms Morrison....your columns are always poignant. Today's (re the Rimers) particularly moved me. It is a story that should not be forgotten.
    I am a former CASA who would still be one if not for the attitude, politics and incompetence that exists in the Family Courts. It was so disheartening.
    I sense that you are a very compassionate person and I believe it is people such as yourself, who can let t


    Martin Gold wrote on September 20, 2007 07:38 PM: enjoy Jane Morrison's writings each week --- today's column re Judge Halverson brought to mind a question: is she still receiving a salary from the taxpayers?


    Firerescue142 wrote on August 07, 2007 11:26 AM: You have a lot covered. But, there is so much more there, that no one knows about. I was Jonnie Jordan's supervisor at the security agency he was working at, before he left to become a baliff. there are other things there he is not allowed to talk about. Things that would make great news fodder, but better left quiet until they proceed to remove her.


    tricky dick wrote on July 15, 2007 03:21 PM: funny article i like your opinion of why she stuck around for the health insurance. someone needs to no pun intended, bounce this fatty out of office.


    Vicki T wrote on June 27, 2007 01:05 AM: It is unbelievable that this woman is still a judge. Let's hope people are aware & don't vote her in, again.


    Paul Opperman wrote on June 09, 2007 01:07 PM: You were lazy today!The column is nothing more than a recitation of the news stories that are 10 days old. I am very disappointed in you.


    Stephen wrote on June 06, 2007 05:40 PM: If you want the "facts" the evidence is there to read on the Nevada Supreme Court website.

    Just Google "Nevada Supreme Court", click on the "high profile cases" tab, then click on "Halverson v. Hardcastle". Then click on Exhibit 1 to answer to petition, then exibit 2 ect.


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