In Re Inquiry Concerning a Judge, No. 253 Stephenson

ORDER OF CENSURE

In a letter dated 15 March 2000, the Judicial Standards Commission (Commission) notified Judge Samuel S. Stephenson (respondent) that it had ordered a preliminary investigation to determine whether formal proceedings under Commission Rule 9 should be instituted against him. The subject matter of the investigation included allegations that during court on 21 February 2000, respondent solicited support and votes for his reelection from defendants and attorneys appearing before him.

On 5 October 2000, special counsel for the Commission filed a complaint alleging in pertinent part:

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