Former Alaska Judge's Misconduct Upheld, Impeachment Referral Stands

A national judicial conduct committee has affirmed the findings of misconduct against Joshua Kindred, a former federal judge in Alaska. The committee upheld the 9th Circuit Judicial Council's decision, which led to Kindred's resignation in July 2024.

The investigation revealed that Kindred engaged in an inappropriate sexualized relationship with a law clerk and created a hostile work environment for court employees. This misconduct occurred during his four-year tenure on the bench, from 2020 to 2024, following his appointment by former President Donald Trump.

The five-member panel praised the council's thorough investigation and the appropriate remedial measures taken, which included reprimanding Kindred and requesting his voluntary resignation. The case has been referred to the Judicial Conference, the principal policymaking body for the federal court system, for potential impeachment recommendation.

The scandal surrounding Kindred has raised significant concerns about the cases he oversaw and prompted calls for enhanced workplace protections for judicial employees. The investigation uncovered that Kindred used crude language, discussed his personal life inappropriately with clerks, and expressed disparaging views about colleagues and public figures.

"Kindred created a hostile work environment for his clerks by using crude language and discussing with them his sex life, their relationships and his 'disparaging' views of colleagues and public figures."

Furthermore, the inquiry identified potential conflicts of interest between Kindred and other lawyers, including a senior prosecutor who reportedly had a "flirtatious rapport" with the judge and had sent him nude photographs. These revelations have led prosecutors to review dozens of cases for possible challenges to convictions or sentences imposed under Kindred's oversight.

It's worth noting that impeachment of federal judges is a rare occurrence, with only 15 federal judges having been impeached in U.S. history as of 2024. If the Judicial Conference recommends impeachment and Kindred is subsequently impeached and convicted by the U.S. Senate, he could be barred from holding any federal office in the future.

This case has brought renewed attention to the issue of sexual harassment in the federal judiciary, which became prominent following allegations against Judge Alex Kozinski in 2017. The #MeToo movement has increased scrutiny of workplace behavior across various sectors, including the judiciary.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is currently handling a complaint filed by the ex-law clerk involved in the inappropriate relationship with Kindred. She alleges retaliation from leaders in the U.S. Attorney's Office after informing them about the judge's conduct.

As the legal community grapples with the fallout from this scandal, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical standards and professional boundaries within the judiciary. The case also highlights the need for robust mechanisms to address misconduct and protect employees in the federal court system.