A northern Kentucky judge has been suspended after being accused of multiple ethics violations.
Judge Dawn M. Gentry, a family court judge in Kenton County, has been accused of hiring a man she was in a sexual relationship with, while terminating an employee to make room for her boyfriend. Gentry is also accused of engaging in sexual activity with her boyfriend and a female employee in her office.
Furthermore, Gentry is charged with coercing attorneys to support her 2018 election, and allegedly retaliated against a lawyer who didn’t contribute the maximum amount of money to her campaign. She is additionally accused of approving false time cards for employees.
In total, Gentry is accused of nine ethics charges.
On Monday, the Judicial Conduct Commission said it would be “in the best interest of justice” for Gentry not to handle cases while the ethics charges are pending, according to the Herald-Leader.
The commission can levy sanctions ranging from a reprimand to removing Gentry from office.
Gentry has denied the allegations. She was appointed to the post by former Gov. Matt Bevin in 2016.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
