Black Judge Hooks Up Her Brother: Loses License, Livelihood And Freedom

Crackers Phinn

Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
A former Ohio judge was dragged from court after her sentencing
Updated 5:25 PM ET, Tue July 23, 2019


(CNN) A former Ohio judge was dragged out of court after being sentenced to six months in jail.

The courtroom erupted Monday after former Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Tracie Hunter was sentenced. Video from CNN affiliate WLWT showed people jumping out of their seats and yelling at the judge and court staff. A woman wearing a "Justice for Judge Hunter" shirt rushed at officers after the sentencing and was quickly taken into custody. In the chaos, Hunter, showing little emotion, went limp and was dragged out of the courtroom by a bailiff as people screamed "No justice!"

The sentencing came after Hunter was found guilty of helping her brother, a county employee, keep his job, according to WLWT. She was convicted of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, a fourth-degree felony, WLWT reported.

Hunter had been free on appeal after being accused of mishandling a confidential document in 2014, according to CNN affiliate WCPO.

Despite a letter from the mayor and pushback from the community, Judge Patrick Dinkelacker imposed the six-month sentence, WCPO reported. "What she wants to do is play by her own set of rules," Scott Croswell, a special prosecutor during Hunter's trial in 2014, said at Monday's sentencing hearing. "That's the very attitude and the very conduct that put her in the predicament that she's in and, frankly, has caused all this pain to her and caused all this turmoil to the community."

Attorney David Singleton defended his client to WLWT, saying he believes she was wrongly convicted. He asked the judge to delay her sentence because he plans to file a motion to dismiss the case. "She's lost everything almost," Singleton said. "She lost her job as a judge, her law license, her ability to earn an income. She's lost peace of mind."

Hunter is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center's medical facility, WLWT reported, likely because of injuries she suffered in a car crash three decades ago. Jail officials told WLWT Hunter will be evaluated to see if she can participate in any early release programs they offer.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ETA:
She is also accused of improperly using her power as judge to get access to her brother's personnel file after he was fired. She received some documents that normally aren't given to attorneys representing fired workers and is accused of trying to give them to her brother's attorney. She also is accused of improperly arranging for her brother to work at the court that would allow him to earn overtime payments, prohibited for relatives.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/01/10/judge-tracie-hunter-indicted-on-8-felony-counts/4407087/
 
Last edited:

LdyKamz

Well-Known Member
I read about this a week or so ago and at the time I didn't understand why her punishment was so harsh because the article I read didn't say the document was confidential. It said they were trying to fire the brother and she requested documents that disproved whatever they were claiming against him and then gave it to the brother to help his case/suspension or whatever it was. At the time I was like well what's the problem? She wasn't involved in the case and wouldn't (or shouldn't) his attorney have requested the same documents? I felt like it was an unusual harsh punishment because the article also mentioned something about her being like the first black woman to...do something or some accomplishment that makes her stand out. I can't remember specifics but I remember my attitude about this based on what I read at the time. But this article says the papers were confidential?

Let me see if I can find the article I read.
 

Crackers Phinn

Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
She is also accused of improperly using her power as judge to get access to her brother's personnel file after he was fired. She received some documents that normally aren't given to attorneys representing fired workers and is accused of trying to give them to her brother's attorney. She also is accused of improperly arranging for her brother to work at the court that would allow him to earn overtime payments, prohibited for relatives.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/ne...e-hunter-indicted-on-8-felony-counts/4407087/
 

meka72

Well-Known Member
I’m curious to know what was in the personnel file that was confidential such that it wouldn’t be subject to public records law or wouldn’t be subject to disclosure to the employee.

But yeah she’s stupid.

ETA: The article below says that she passed records related to the teen’s record, not her brother’s personnel file. That makes sense why that would be confidential.
 
Last edited:

Shula

Well-Known Member
I really need black folks to truly understand that we cannot do what they do and get away with it. It's not fair but it is what it is now please govern yourselves accordingly. Folks are credibly accused of sex trafficking, pedophilia, fraud, and all the worst ills of society and people look away. Black folks cannot jaywalk. Please realize that. A whole distinguished career thrown away over this and her brother don't even sound close to worth it per usual.
Does anyone know what type of job her brother had?

I think I read corrections officer.

Yep, found a link: https://www.essence.com/news/black-ohio-judge-dragged-courtroom/


By Paula Rogo · July 28, 2019
A former Ohio judge had to be dragged out of court by a bailiff this past week after she refused to be arrested following a controversial sentencing.

Footage of the incident shows former judge Tracie Hunter going limp after a judge upheld her six-month sentence for improperly passing on information to her brother in a job dispute. The courtroom in Cincinnati can be seen descending into chaos as her supporters protested the sentence overall and the indignity in how she was taken out of the courtroom.

Hunter, the first elected African American juvenile court judge in Hamilton County, was accused of using her influence to help her youth corrections officer brother, Stephen, after he allegedly struck a young offender on the job on July 7, 2013. The incident led to the officer’s boss recommending his termination.

Hunter is said to have improperly demanded and received documents about the teen and passed them on to her brother, prosecutors said. She was convicted in October 2014 of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, but remained free while she pursued appeals in both state and federal court.

“I violated no laws, I did not secure a public contract, I did not secure employment for my brother who worked for the court for about seven years before I was elected judge. They need to drop these unrighteous and I believe unlawful charges against me,” Hunter told NBC affiliate WLWT in Cincinnati on Sunday.

But the appellate judge disagreed when he sentenced her on Monday. Many are calling his decision racist,

Since then, she has filed a formal inmate grievance, alleging that being dragged from the courtroom “aggravated a serious pre-existing medical condition to my neck, back, and legs. It was a use of force that also caused degradation and dehumanization and was broadcast across the world.”

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating her allegations.

TOPICS: News Tracie Hunter
 
Last edited:

RUBY

Well-Known Member
Where was her brother in court? Where is her brother now?

So her brother assaulted a teen in prison and then sister tried to dig up dirt on the teen to get her brother off?

What she did was wrong but I do think the punishment is overly harsh.

White people been doing these and much worse kind of things from time memorial, hooking up their family and friends up and not a thing is done. I guess they are just better at covering their tracks.
 

Everything Zen

Well-Known Member
I really need black folks to truly understand that we cannot do what they do and get away with it. It's not fair but it is what it is now please govern yourselves accordingly. Folks are credibly accused of sex trafficking, pedophilia, fraud, and all the worst ills of society and people look away. Black folks cannot jaywalk. Please realize that. A whole distinguished career thrown away over this and her brother don't even sound close to worth it per usual.

Quoted for emphasis.
 

reallynow

Well-Known Member
Where was her brother in court? Where is her brother now?

So her brother assaulted a teen in prison and then sister tried to dig up dirt on the teen to get her brother off?

What she did was wrong but I do think the punishment is overly harsh.

White people been doing these and much worse kind of things from time memorial, hooking up their family and friends up and not a thing is done. I guess they are just better at covering their tracks.

Million dollar question...:rolleyes: His sister is getting dragged and I haven't seen not one statement from him.
 

LdyKamz

Well-Known Member
I really need black folks to truly understand that we cannot do what they do and get away with it. It's not fair but it is what it is now please govern yourselves accordingly. Folks are credibly accused of sex trafficking, pedophilia, fraud, and all the worst ills of society and people look away. Black folks cannot jaywalk. Please realize that. A whole distinguished career thrown away over this and her brother don't even sound close to worth it per usual.


I think I read corrections officer.

Yep, found a link: https://www.essence.com/news/black-ohio-judge-dragged-courtroom/


By Paula Rogo · July 28, 2019
A former Ohio judge had to be dragged out of court by a bailiff this past week after she refused to be arrested following a controversial sentencing.

Footage of the incident shows former judge Tracie Hunter going limp after a judge upheld her six-month sentence for improperly passing on information to her brother in a job dispute. The courtroom in Cincinnati can be seen descending into chaos as her supporters protested the sentence overall and the indignity in how she was taken out of the courtroom.

Hunter, the first elected African American juvenile court judge in Hamilton County, was accused of using her influence to help her youth corrections officer brother, Stephen, after he allegedly struck a young offender on the job on July 7, 2013. The incident led to the officer’s boss recommending his termination.

Hunter is said to have improperly demanded and received documents about the teen and passed them on to her brother, prosecutors said. She was convicted in October 2014 of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, but remained free while she pursued appeals in both state and federal court.

“I violated no laws, I did not secure a public contract, I did not secure employment for my brother who worked for the court for about seven years before I was elected judge. They need to drop these unrighteous and I believe unlawful charges against me,” Hunter told NBC affiliate WLWT in Cincinnati on Sunday.

But the appellate judge disagreed when he sentenced her on Monday. Many are calling his decision racist,

Since then, she has filed a formal inmate grievance, alleging that being dragged from the courtroom “aggravated a serious pre-existing medical condition to my neck, back, and legs. It was a use of force that also caused degradation and dehumanization and was broadcast across the world.”

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department said it is investigating her allegations.

TOPICS: News Tracie Hunter
OK this article is very similar to the one I read with only one additional detail - that the records were about the teen. I'm not gonna lie, I can kind of understand why she thinks she didn't do anything wrong.

Also there are articles stating she did one thing and then other articles saying she did something else. So either she did all of these things or even the press is trying to piece together and make sense of what actions were actually illegal to have her hauled off to jail.

I'm just confused because I've never heard of any part of a corrections officers personnel file being confidential (as long as the employee consents to entire file being retrieved). I, myself have obtained entire personnel files with no issue. If she obtained the teen's entire file using her status as a judge, then yeah a slap on the wrist but even a report on the incident with the c.o. in his file would be subject to discovery so jail time is just...insane.

I guess lesson learned. I want to know what happens to her after the 6 months.
 

chocolat79

Well-Known Member
A few takeaways:
  • If you're gonna do something wrong, you need to be slicker about it. I'm sure WP BEEN doing these types of things, but she's not White, so understand that you need more people/ allies to pull off something unlawful.
  • I'm not sure if she volunteered or if he asked, but you gotta weigh the pros and cons of helping people when you're in a position of power. It wasn't worth it. It would've been better to use her influence to get him ANOTHER job as a corrections officer.
  • As already mentioned, BP can't do what WP do and we're already under a microscope. Act accordingly.
  • Yes, she was punished unfairly I'm sure and I'm sure someone was waiting in the wings to make sure they got her.
 

meka72

Well-Known Member
To the extent that you want to read the appellate decision related to her unsuccessful appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court, it fills some holes. She requested info on the teen, not her brother’s personnel file according to the decision.

https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Clerk/ecms/#/caseinfo/2016/92

On an unrelated note, if you want to read some “interesting” filings :look:, check out

https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Clerk/ecms/#/caseinfo/2017/1210

https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Clerk/ecms/#/caseinfo/2017/1009

https://www.sconet.state.oh.us/Clerk/ecms/#/caseinfo/2017/998


OK this article is very similar to the one I read with only one additional detail - that the records were about the teen. I'm not gonna lie, I can kind of understand why she thinks she didn't do anything wrong.

Also there are articles stating she did one thing and then other articles saying she did something else. So either she did all of these things or even the press is trying to piece together and make sense of what actions were actually illegal to have her hauled off to jail.

I'm just confused because I've never heard of any part of a corrections officers personnel file being confidential (as long as the employee consents to entire file being retrieved). I, myself have obtained entire personnel files with no issue. If she obtained the teen's entire file using her status as a judge, then yeah a slap on the wrist but even a report on the incident with the c.o. in his file would be subject to discovery so jail time is just...insane.

I guess lesson learned. I want to know what happens to her after the 6 months.
 

RoundEyedGirl504

Well-Known Member
It takes a special kind to work in juvenile jails and many many many folks have lost their jobs finding out they are not that kind. That being said, this is very messy and her lack of ethics and discernment in knowing to keep her hands out of this is more concerning to me. This is idiot stuff that somebody in her position should not have been involved in period.
 

LdyKamz

Well-Known Member
For people who think the penalty is harsh, which part do you mean? The jail time, the disbarring, the loss of her job?
I didn't know she was disbarred - I wondered. For me, I only think the jail time is harsh. Since it's only 6 months I assume it's to teach her a lesson - which considering her job loss and disbarment, seems unnecessary to me. Losing her job was expected and disbarment was also a possibility so not surprised by either of those.
 

Crackers Phinn

Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
I didn't know she was disbarred - I wondered. For me, I only think the jail time is harsh. Since it's only 6 months I assume it's to teach her a lesson - which considering her job loss and disbarment, seems unnecessary to me. Losing her job was expected and disbarment was also a possibility so not surprised by either of those.
The article said she lost her license, I should have looked it up instead of assuming that was the same as getting disbarred.
 

Kanky

Well-Known Member
I have been kind of following this. This woman ruined her whole life trying to help her brother. Yes, white people in positions of power do this kind of thing all of the time, but they have other white people in positions of power who will support them and make sure that they don’t suffer the consequences. It is a network. One black face can’t do it alone.
 

Ms. Tarabotti

Well-Known Member
The article said she lost her license, I should have looked it up instead of assuming that was the same as getting disbarred.

Judges and lawyers are bound by a code of ethics. What she did violates the legal ethical code so, yes she has lost her job as a judge and her license to practice law in Ohio. It remains to be seen whether she will face disbarment but she likely will.

Moral of the story- make sure that this is something that you don't mind losing your future for.
 

Crackers Phinn

Either A Blessing Or A Lesson.
I was trying to find an old post about when I got my cousin a job where I used to work. It was the cakest of cake jobs doing data entry, scanning and shredding documents and paid like $10+hour about 15 years ago. It was ridiculous money and the owner only wanted to hire college kids.

So I get my "little" cousin and a friend of the family in. My cousin is an artist and super clean cut black boy joy type. At the time I want to say he was about 20-21. They were loving it. I don't remember the exact order of events but the time line is - Two weeks in one of the black dudes who worked with my cousin pulled me aside and told me that people were talking because my cousin was telling people what work he did and didn't have to do because me and him were family and that he would just disappear outside of normal break times. So I called cuzzo in and told him quit bleepin up and that apparently eyes was on him.

One week after that, here he come in my office telling me he was fired when he came in to pick up his paycheck because they said during his previous shift he smelled like weed and that I needed to go talk to the President of the company (who I reported to) to get him his job back. I told him absolutely the :censored: not and he sat up and tried to argue with me over it. I told him that I got him the job but it was up to him to keep it. Do ya'll know he was big mad at me for years after that? I would go to family things and he would barely acknowledge me because I didn't put my job on the line for him. BTW - The friend of the family chick was kept on for another 2 years until the company went out of business with no problems.
 

dancinstallion

Well-Known Member
I was trying to find an old post about when I got my cousin a job where I used to work. It was the cakest of cake jobs doing data entry, scanning and shredding documents and paid like $10+hour about 15 years ago. It was ridiculous money and the owner only wanted to hire college kids.

So I get my "little" cousin and a friend of the family in. My cousin is an artist and super clean cut black boy joy type. At the time I want to say he was about 20-21. They were loving it. I don't remember the exact order of events but the time line is - Two weeks in one of the black dudes who worked with my cousin pulled me aside and told me that people were talking because my cousin was telling people what work he did and didn't have to do because me and him were family and that he would just disappear outside of normal break times. So I called cuzzo in and told him quit bleepin up and that apparently eyes was on him.

One week after that, here he come in my office telling me he was fired when he came in to pick up his paycheck because they said during his previous shift he smelled like weed and that I needed to go talk to the President of the company (who I reported to) to get him his job back. I told him absolutely the :censored: not and he sat up and tried to argue with me over it. I told him that I got him the job but it was up to him to keep it. Do ya'll know he was big mad at me for years after that? I would go to family things and he would barely acknowledge me because I didn't put my job on the line for him. BTW - The friend of the family chick was kept on for another 2 years until the company went out of business with no problems.

I remember you mentioning this before. Smh. Family members are the worst.

I told my cousin about a job I was just transferred to. I told her to come to the orientation and she will get an interview on the spot.
Why did she show up to the orientation in flip flop like Sandals and a big tank dress. :mad:
I was so mad. She was 35 at the time. I said you didn't tell them we were cousins right? Do you think she got the job?
That cousin was staying with us at the time. Dh told her she had to go. She doesn't talk to me til this day and me no care. :drunk:
 
Last edited:

Shula

Well-Known Member
I honestly feel like WP don't have a problem with this kind of stuff or even consider it illegal until we do it. It's business as usual for them and they can't wait to catch us in some stuff. It's a sport for them.

*Disclaimer: I have many honest white people of integrity in my life but I feel this is for the most part America at large on any given day. Sis forgot the rules are for us.
 
Last edited:
Top