In Re Complaint of Judicial Misconduct

ORDER

Complainant alleges that a district judge filed false or misleading financial disclosure statements. Judges file annual financial disclosure statements pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. 5 U.S.C. app. §§ 101-111. Both the statute and the Filing Instructions for Judicial Officers and Employees provide guidance on what information must be provided and what information is exempt. See Comm, on Fin. Disclosure, Filing Instructions for Judicial Officers and Employees 1 (2014) (hereinafter Filing Instructions). The Judicial Conference of the United States Committee on Financial Disclosure (the “JCUS Committee”) receives and reviews each submitted report to ensure that, on the basis of the information provided, the reporting person is in compliance with applicable law and regulations. Filing Instructions 1; 5 U.S.C. app. § 103(H)(b). If the report is inadequate, the Committee requests an explanation or corrections from the filer. 5 U.S.C. app. § 106(b)(2). If any individual “knowingly and willfully falsifies” information required on the report, the Attorney General may bring a civil action in district court. Id. § 104(a)(1).

The statute provides that “[a] reporting…