Kentucky judge who allegedly offered secretary threesome, hired BF and allowed booze at work, kicked off bench
KENTON COUNTY, KENTUCKY: A family court judge accused of using sex, coercion, and retaliation as methods in her judgeship has been kicked off the bench by a judicial panel. Kenton County Family Court Judge Dawn Gentry was removed on Monday, August 31, after a five-member judicial commission voted unanimously, nearly eight months after misconduct charges against her were released.
Gentry faced suspension with pay in December 2019 after numerous allegations were brought against her. It was alleged that the 39-year-old had created a rowdy atmosphere at the courthouse, had hired her boyfriend and bandmate, and permitted drinking during work hours. She was also accused of using sex, coercion, and retaliation against lawyers and court employees who did not support her political campaigns.
"This case does not involve one or two isolated occurrences, but instead involves a pattern of misconduct and repeated exercise of extremely poor judgment — on and off the bench — by the respondent that continued for over a year, including after respondent was informed that a complaint was filed with the commission against her,” the commission wrote in its decision as reported by The Cincinnati Enquirer.
According to Fox News, the commission also stated that judges, “should aspire at all times to conduct that ensures the greatest public confidence in their independence, impartiality, integrity, and competence. Respondent failed in essentially every respect of this fundamental rule applicable to all judges.”
The commission reportedly voted 5-0 to eliminate Gentry from her post. They found her guilty of 10 out of 12 charges. However, the judge has the option to appeal the decision. Gentry's lawyer, Jeff Lawson, said her client will appeal. Lawson said that the elimination from the bench is "the equivalent of the judicial death penalty.” He also added that Gentry was expecting punishment, but the commission went harsh in its decision. “She should remain doing the work she was elected to do, and did well," the attorney mentioned.
In 2016, former Republican Governor Matt Bevin appointed Gentry as a judge after selecting her to fill a vacancy. Later in 2018, she was chosen for an eight-year term in 2018 and earned $136,900 a year. However, a report in December revealed that she was under investigation. Among a number of allegations, one was regarding a veteran courthouse staff member whom she forced to resign so she could hire Stephen Penrose, a former pastor, and her reputed paramour.
Another allegation against Gentry claimed that she offered her secretary, Laura Aubrey, to participate in a threesome with her and Penrose. During the misconduct hearing, Aubrey testified that she along with Gentry and Penrose later pranked other staff members by making grunting noises inside the judge’s chambers. In addition, courthouse custodians, clerks, and other employees also testified that they found empty liquor bottles inside the chambers and heard sounds like guitar playing behind the door. One of the attorneys, named Katherine Schulz, even claimed before the panel that Gentry kissed her in a courthouse bathroom and also asked her for a threesome. But she refused the offer.