OK judge not just happy to see you

Joe, exactly who is this Judge Thompson? Local, district, state?

According to USToday, he's a district judge.

Is that the same position, Joe?

Is that the same position, Joe?

Judge to fight for job

2004-06-25
By John Greiner
The Oklahoman


A Sapulpa District Judge accused of improper conduct involving sexual acts in the courtroom will fight attempts to remove him, his attorney said Thursday.

District Judge Donald D. Thompson has read the attorney general's petition seeking his removal, "and the facts are just untrue," said Clark Brewster, a Tulsa attorney representing Thompson.

During an investigation of allegations, Thompson was given the opportunity to resign but refused, Brewster said.

The trial division of the state Court on the Judiciary on Thursday set a Sept. 20 trial date for Thompson.


The court has the power to remove a judge from office.

State Attorney General Drew Edmondson filed the petition Wednesday with the state Court on the Judiciary.

The petition alleged Thompson masturbated in view of his court reporter during a number of court proceedings. It also alleged he used a "penis pump" during trial where his court reporter and other court personnel, witnesses and juries could either see or hear.


"It was gag gift given to him on his 50th birthday," Brewster said of the penis pump. "A couple of police officers upset with rulings he made tried to make it something it was not.

"He's not going to tolerate these falsehoods."

Sapulpa police officers would not comment Thursday.

Brewster said the motivations behind these allegations "aren't pure and are calculated to take the courthouse over."

He did not elaborate.

Ironically, Thompson is a member of the appellate division of the state Court on the Judiciary that hears appeals of actions taken against judges by the trial division.


The attorney general said Thompson violated the code of judicial ethics that requires high standards of conduct, promoting public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary and performing duties impartially and diligently including the requirement to be dignified to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers and others.

He said Thompson also committed an offense involving moral turpitude.

A key witness in this removal action is Lisa K. Foster, a court reporter for Thompson for 15 years.

She told investigators she witnessed the judge's sexual behavior "15 to 20 times." She was fired after the judge heard she had cooperated with an investigation into his activities, Edmondson said.

Fired on the same day by Thompson was Zelma Hindman, the judge's secretary, who also talked to investigators, Edmondson said.

The one common element for all courts: using a sexual enhancement device during a trial is not considered appropriate behavior for a judge. Not even in Oklahoma.

What about West Virginia?