Courts

Judge Suspended For... Raising Money For Hurricane Victims

Rules are rules.

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There are a great number of threats to the legitimacy of the judiciary in this country. But while you were worried about the eroding of basic rights and middle of the night decisions impacting millions, there was another issue festering just under the surface — fundraising for hurricane victims. No — not raising money and then skimming off the top or anything truly untoward like that, just like, telling people to give money to the freaking Red Cross.

South Carolina probate judge Kenneth “Kenny” E. Johns Jr. has been suspended for 18 months for a social media post soliciting hurricane relief, as well as preparing a certification attesting to the character of a South Carolina resident involved in a New Jersey case. As reported by ABA Journal, this is the post that got Johns in hot water:

Johns posted the hurricane solicitation on Facebook in September 2018.

“For my birthday this year, I’m asking for donations to American Red Cross. I’ve chosen this nonprofit because of food, water, and much more provided for those affected by Hurricane Florence in NC & SC,” Johns posted.

But it wasn’t the first time Johns has been called to task over social media posts. In 2016, he got a six-month suspension for… some similar stuff:

In the 2016 case, the state supreme court imposed a six-month suspension following Johns’ social media posts commenting on a matter pending before the court, endorsing a presidential candidate, and engaging in fundraising for a local church.

He had told the court in that case that he would refrain from making political posts or posting fundraising information on Facebook or any other social media.

Johns — who is not a lawyer, but as a judge is bound by judicial conduct standards — admitted that both the hurricane fundraising post and the certification in which he advocated on behalf of the South Carolina resident and his legal position were in violation of the code of conduct.

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It’s always good advice to think before you post on social media, but even more so when you’re a judge.

Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter (@Kathryn1).

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