Judge Herman Thomas -- the Alabama state court judge who allegedly enjoyed spanking male prisoners, traded favorable treatment for sexual favors, and improperly interfered on behalf of a cousin in legal trouble -- has resigned from the bench.

We sure will miss having him to smack around.

Judge Thomas resigns [Mobile Press-Register]
Alabama Judge Resigns Amid Investigation [AP]

Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of Judge Herman Thomas (scroll down)

Oooh boy. What is it about jurists with the surname "Thomas"?

More lurid allegations are being made against Judge Herman Thomas, the Alabama state court judge who allegedly likes to spank male prisoners. From the Mobile Press-Register:

In affidavits filed in support of Michael Dewayne Anderson's 2003 federal suit against Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas, three men made similar accusations about Thomas.

John Richardson said he saw Thomas "constantly" driving up his block to pick up a neighbor. That neighbor, Richardson said, "told me that as long as he plays the sex game with Judge Thomas, he wouldn't have to worry about staying in jail."

Nathaniel Agee said Thomas "inflicted burden and humiliation in my life."

"Herman and I started off going fishing together, hanging out together. He would even drop by my house early some morning(s), and say he wanted to talk."

Brokeback Pond? Apparently so:

Thomas increased the visits to his home, Agee said, "but when he found out my children were there, he started to become angry because we couldn't be alone with each other. I tried to explain to Judge Thomas that it was all right to be friends and hang out, but I'm not into sexual relationships with a man."

The funny and talented Jolene Roxbury, the ex-paralegal turned comedian and singer, has dedicated another song to Judge Thomas: You Bring the Paddle.

Check it out here. For more about Jolene, see her website. Delightful stuff -- thanks, Jolene!

Claims Against Judge Thomas [Mobile Press-Register]
Jolene Roxbury: Certified Verbal Conversationalist

Earlier: Prior ATL coverage of Judge Herman Thomas (scroll down)

Remember Judge Herman Thomas, the Alabama state court judge who allegedly spanked a number of prisoners? Now there's a theme song for the scandal, entitled "Spank Me." Check it out here.

The creator and artist, Jolene Roxbury, is a former paralegal who decided several years ago that comedy was her true calling. You can learn more about her over at her website. Nice work, Jolene!

Jolene Roxbury: Certified Verbal Conversationalist

Earlier: Judge of the Day: Herman Thomas

Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas is ATL's Judge of the Day. He takes the prize for his innovative approach to sentencing. From the Mobile Press-Register:

Authorities are investigating allegations that now-suspended Mobile County Circuit Judge Herman Thomas periodically removed prisoners from Mobile County Metro Jail and spanked them in a room at the courthouse, according to courthouse sources involved in the inquiry.

Once inside the room, according to the sources, the judge would ask the young men to drop their pants and prepare to be spanked with what they described as a wooden or fraternity-like paddle.

To quote ex-inmate Paris Hilton, "That's hot." We agree with these commenters:

"[I]n San Francisco we have lots of people who pay $200 a session for that kind of treatment. Perhaps this judge has a bright future in Bay Area."

"That's some kinky place. I think Senator Larry Craig would like to break INTO that prison!"

More details -- including a description of the secret six-by-eight room that allegedly served as the judge's S-and-M dungeon -- are available here.

Authorities investigating paddling allegations against Judge Thomas [Mobile Press-Register]
Judge Accused Of Paddling Inmates [WKRG.com]