A Kentucky judge has been temporarily suspended with pay following accusations of sexual misconduct and ethics violations. Kenton County Judge Dawn Gentry was suspended by the Judicial Conduct Commission while they investigate allegations that surfaced last month. The accusations include having sexual relationships with staff members in the courthouse and other inappropriate workplace behavior.
The charges against Judge Gentry stem from an anonymous complaint filed in November. Court documents reveal that she faces nine ethics violations. The commission initially issued a statement in November outlining a “pattern of conduct that constitutes misconduct in office and violates the Code of Judicial Conduct,” particularly since her election in November 2018.
One specific charge involves the “inappropriate hiring” of Stephen Penrose, with whom Gentry allegedly had a sexual relationship. The commission stated that Penrose was hired “because you were engaged in a personal sexual relationship with him, not on the basis of merit.” It’s also alleged that Gentry forced another employee to resign to create a job opening for Penrose.
According to Fox News, Gentry is accused of engaging in a threesome with her secretary, Laura Aubrey, and Penrose in a courthouse office during work hours. Further accusations include hiring other employees based on factors other than merit and making unwanted sexual advances toward others via Snapchat.
Judge Gentry also faces disciplinary action for allegedly falsifying timesheets, delaying hearings or dismissing attorneys who did not support her bid for Kenton County Family Court judge, and coercing others to contribute to her campaign while serving as an appointed judge. She was suspended on Monday with pay, pending the outcome of the commission’s investigation.
Gentry has denied all accusations. She was initially appointed to the bench to fill a vacancy before being elected in November 2018 to a four-year term. This investigation is ongoing.