Federal Judicial Committee Issued Private Reprimand Following Investigation
A senior Atlanta police official has been identified in reports concerning a judicial misconduct investigation involving a federal judge in Georgia.
According to a report published by Bloomberg Law, Kelley Collier, a deputy chief with the Atlanta Police Department, was identified as the law enforcement officer referenced in a judicial misconduct proceeding involving U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia.
The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States previously released findings concerning a federal judge who engaged in an undisclosed extramarital relationship with a senior law enforcement official whose agency regularly appeared before the court.
The committee’s public report did not identify either individual by name.
Atlanta Police Department Launches Investigation
On Thursday, the Atlanta Police Department announced it had initiated an internal investigation to determine whether the law enforcement official referenced in the judicial committee’s findings is an employee of the department.
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In a statement posted by the agency, officials said:
“The Atlanta Police Department has launched an investigation to determine if the person mentioned in the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability of the Judicial Conference of the United States, is indeed an employee of the Atlanta Police Department.”
As of the latest reports, the department has not publicly announced any findings from that investigation.
Details Contained in Judicial Misconduct Findings
According to judicial records cited by Bloomberg Law, the committee concluded that a federal judge engaged in a secret extramarital relationship with a senior law enforcement officer for approximately two years.
The committee’s findings stated:
“For two years, the Subject Judge was a federal district judge who routinely heard criminal cases engaged in a secret extramarital relationship with a prominent officer of a large law enforcement agency in the judge’s district.”
The committee further reported that the relationship included meetings during court business hours and conduct occurring within judicial chambers.
Court staff reportedly provided information during the investigation concerning sounds allegedly heard from chambers, including kissing and other intimate interactions.
The committee’s report concluded that the relationship created concerns regarding judicial ethics and public confidence in the judiciary.
Identification of Kelley Collier
Bloomberg Law reported that Kelley Collier matched details outlined in the judicial committee’s report.
According to publicly available biographical information from the Atlanta Police Department, Collier serves as commander of the Community Services Division and has been employed by the department since 1998.
The committee’s report described the law enforcement official as:
Bloomberg Law reported that those characteristics aligned with Collier’s professional background.
Findings Concerning Judge Eleanor Ross
Judge Eleanor Ross was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in 2014.
According to the judicial misconduct findings, investigators determined that Ross violated judicial conduct standards by engaging in the undisclosed relationship.
The committee also found that Ross attended a partisan political event and made statements during the investigation that investigators determined were inaccurate or misleading.
The judicial committee ultimately imposed a private reprimand.
The disciplinary action was directed at the judge and did not constitute a criminal proceeding.
Current Status
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kelley Collier?
Kelley Collier is a deputy chief with the Atlanta Police Department and serves as commander of the department’s Community Services Division.
Who is Judge Eleanor Ross?
Eleanor Ross is a United States District Judge serving on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. She was appointed to the federal bench in 2014.
Did the judicial committee identify the individuals by name?
No. The judicial committee’s public report did not identify the judge or law enforcement officer involved. Their identities were later reported by Bloomberg Law.
Were criminal charges filed?
As of current public reporting, no criminal charges have been announced against either individual.
What disciplinary action was taken?
The judicial committee issued Judge Ross a private reprimand. The Atlanta Police Department has stated it is conducting its own investigation regarding the law enforcement official identified in media reports.
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