Appeal justice denies new charges, claiming unfair influence

Appeals court justice denies new claims of sexual misconduct

Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson denied new sexual misconduct allegations issued last week, saying he did not recall the incidents and believed the accusers may have been influenced by others seeking to discredit him.

The Commission on Judicial Performance has charged Johnson with sexual misconduct and appearing at the courthouse intoxicated after hours, which Johnson has denied. The allegations of three women were added to the complaint last week, bringing the total number of accusers to 17. A hearing is set for Aug. 5.

The three additional women accused Johnson of groping, nonconsensual kissing and making inappropriate sexual comments at networking events and dinners between 2011 and 2015.

In his Monday reply, Johnson, of the 2nd District Court of Appeal, said the new allegations don't involve conduct affecting matters before the court or violate the judicial canons.

He also claimed the new accusers "may have been influenced by contact with persons who had a personal motive to unfairly discredit Justice Johnson," according to the brief.

Johnson elaborated on the claim in a June 12 objection to amend, saying the initial tip about the new allegations came from an attorney who had "suspect motivation," according to the objection.

Further, the commission received a letter about the allegations in August 2018 that wasn't disclosed to Johnson until this month, Johnson said. The new allegations should be dismissed due to this failure of due diligence, according to the objection.

Finally, Johnson claimed an accidental email disclosure of allegations in July 2018, sent to thousands of court personnel, "encouraged persons to negatively interpret past events," according to the brief.

-- Erin Lee