ALJ arrested for solicitation

[workdrone]

Courtesy of Social Security News for flagging it and Pensacola News Journal for original reporting:

Social Security News:

socsecnews.blogspot.com/2008/01/alj-goosens-arrested.html#links

Pensacola News Journal:

www.pensacolanewsjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS01/801110350/1006

All I have to say is wow. If proven guilty, this definitely shows some seriously poor judgment for someone whose job is to judge.

[deltajudge]

8-)I wouldn't worry about this guy, he probably signed in and out like a pro. Bet he never moved his afternoon cases up to fill a gap on a morning cancellation, and was always warming that chair. If soliciting for a prostitute in Florida is a felony he is toast, if not, a transfer to some far off office. Too much trouble to disclipine ALJs or any employee in OHA/ODAR.

[retiredalj]

This ALJ had his case dismissed, and the Court sealed the arrest record. It is always better to withhold reaction to a mere arrest. The ALJ may now deny or fail to mention the arrest per the Court Order.

[anotherfed]

He probably spent a Saturday in "John School" learning about the evils of prostitution and, per a plea deal, had the charges dismissed.

[hamster]

May 18, 2014 9:19:54 GMT -5 retiredalj said:

This ALJ had his case dismissed, and the Court sealed the arrest record. It is always better to withhold reaction to a mere arrest. The ALJ may now deny or fail to mention the arrest per the Court Order.

You may be right. But state law, if is indeed in this ALJ's favor, shouldn't trump his other-state Bar addressing it, nor a Federal inquiry as to his judicial fitness. Of course, we're not talking a criminal case, but an administrative inquiry by a preponderance of the evidence.