Ethics Complaint Leads to Retirement

When this editor of The Monticello News arrived at work Monday morning, she had an e-mail announcing the retirement of Judge John Lee Parrott.

It said, “For the last 24 years, it has been my honor to serve as Superior Court Judge for the people of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit. Before that, I had practiced law for 13 years. Therefore, after 37 years,. I have decided it is time for me to retire from the court and the practice of law. I have deeply appreciated the opportunity to serve the people of our circuit and worked hard to give you my best.

“Qualifying for the election to this judgeship will be in the near future, and my retirement should make it possible for the people to select their judge for this position in an open and fair election. We have some good lawyers in this circuit who should hopefully compete.” It was signed, “John Lee Parrott.”

However, perusal of the online edition of a nearby daily newspaper, The Macon Telegraph, elicited some interest. A story there said that Judge Parrott had resigned Friday amid allegations that he allowed “the prestige of his office to advance his private interest,” based on a complaint to the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC).

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The JQC complaint resulted in a consent order, signed by Judge Parrott, that said the governor has accepted the letter of retirement effective May 19, 2012. “This Consent Order resolves any charges in the above-styled matter as provided herein,” effectively eliminating the complaint with the judge’s resignation.

An article in the Daily Report, a regional publication for the Law.com, outlined some of the work Judge Parrott has done since becoming a judge such as developing a handbook and forms for new judges to use when they take the bench that include many basics. It also reported on a controversial case concerning a lesbian adoption that Judge Parrott presided over in 2007.

Judge Parrott was slated to be on the bench this week in Jasper Superior Court, but court opened Monday morning with Judge Hugh Wingfield presiding. The Daily Report quotes another of Judge Parrott’s constituents, Judge Hulane George, with remarks on his abrupt retirement.

“He did some very important and very professional things for the development of new judges in the state of Georgia,” she said. “I’m just sorry it ended like this. It’s got to be sad.”

Judge William A. Prior is the senior judge in the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, and Judge James Cline rounds out the list of Ocmulgee circuit judges.

Qualifying for non-partisan elections to be held July 31, began yesterday, May 23, and continues through noon tomorrow, May 25.