Judge accused of bias against woman in her dispute with former romantic partner
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Putnam Superior Court judge faces disciplinary charges of being biased against a woman in a dispute with her former romantic partner.
Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications on Monday filed the disciplinary charges against Judge Charles “Denny” Bridges.
The charges spell out how Bridges made repeated disparaging statements against a woman and issued rulings before getting her opinion in her case against her former romantic partner. In her court filing, she said he’d sold their home but she didn’t get her any restitution.
The charges shared one of the judge’s comments: “I guess because I’ve done so many of these cases I see — I see women that kind of make a habit out of this and I’m — I’m just — I’m — I’m certainly not saying that your client is …, I don’t know her, I don’t know either one of these people, but I see women do this and it’s horsesh*t, to coin a — to coin a phrase.”
Another comment from the judge that was shared in the charges: “”If these folks aren’t married and this woman’s trying to get money out of him for a house that she lived in, and I can only- and I’m just — I have no idea, I don’t know the people, I don’t know what the facts of the case, I’m just saying my position is regardless of what everyone else’s position is in Indianapolis, that’s what the Court of Appeals are for, if she wasn’t — if they weren’t married and she lived there and had the benefit of living there and now she wants to claim what everybody calls ‘sweat equity,’ bullsh*t, ain’t no ‘sweat equity’ in this court.”
The charges say Bridges’ remarks about women and his disfavoring of the woman’s case gave the appearance that he could not be impartial.
Bridges will have 20 days to respond to the charges from the seven-person commission. Next, the Indiana Supreme Court will appoint three “Masters” to conduct a public hearing on the charges, and then the justices will decide whether to sanction the Bridges.
The Republican has been the judge in Putnam Superior Court since January 2009. His courtroom is based in the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle.
News release
“The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications has filed disciplinary charges against Putnam Superior Court Judge Charles D. Bridges. The commission alleges Judge Bridges demonstrated an inability to perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, promptly, and without bias or prejudice. Judge Bridges is permitted (but not required) to file an answer to the charges within 20 days.
“The ‘Notice of the Institution of Formal Proceedings and Statement of Charges‘ (Case No. 24S-JD-393) is public record and has been filed with the Appellate Clerk’s Office. The charges are brought by the seven-member commission, which investigates alleged ethical misconduct by judges.
“The commission charges two counts of misconduct. In one count, the commission alleges Judge Bridges violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires the judge to act without bias or prejudice and to refrain from harassment based upon gender. In the remaining count, the commission charges that Judge Bridges violated the Code of Judicial Conduct and Rules of Trial Procedure by ruling on motions before allowing the opposing party to respond by deadlines and also by failing to rule on other motions.
“The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred. The court can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between the commission and Judge Bridges, appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana. More information about the commission can be found at courts.in.gov/ojar/about/members/. Judge Bridges is represented by attorney James Voyles who can be reached at Jvoyles@voyleslegal.com.”
Indiana Judicial Branch