Posts
Apparently someone interpreted the phrase "get involved in the case" far more literally than the law intended.
A Missouri prosecutor was removed from office after allegedly carrying on an affair with an illegal immigrant that her own office was investigating for sexual assault. I guess this proves that some public officials hear the phrase "equal justice under the law" and think it means equal opportunity dating.
Ray County Prosecutor Camille Johnston allegedly entered into a romantic relationship with a Mexican national who had been living in the United States illegally since 2019. According to court documents, the man even lived with Johnston for a time. Authorities say this was just one of three alleged affairs that created conflicts of interest, which is an impressive achievement considering most prosecutors try to avoid even one.
Court documents allege Johnston failed to disclose the relationship to the alleged sexual assault victim, law enforcement, or members of her own office. She also allegedly "failed to bring any criminal charges because of her relationship with" the Mexican national [aka illegal alien]. Legal experts confirmed this is generally considered an unconventional prosecutorial strategy.
According to court documents, the illegal alien later fled to Mississippi, where Johnston allegedly visited him before the pair vacationed together in Florida. This really gives "active criminal investigations" a bad name.
The documents also allege Johnston drove to Mississippi in 2023 and gave the fugitive the title to her vehicle. Authorities eventually arrested him in Ohio in 2024, apparently after concluding that law enforcement, rather than romantic gestures, remained the preferred method of locating fugitives.
KSHB reported that the alleged sexual assault occurred while Johnston and the suspect were involved in bumping boots, a detail that somehow makes the story even more astonishing.
The affair was reportedly only one entry in what court documents portray as an unusually active social calendar. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alleged Johnston also engaged "in an intimate and romantic relationship with a criminal defense attorney representing numerous criminal defendants" whose cases were being prosecuted by Johnston's own office.
Johnston was eventually disqualified from handling the sexual assault case, ending what may have been the least objective prosecution since someone decided Lady Justice should peek under the blindfold.
Hanaway accused Johnston of treating her office like her "personal playground."
"When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self interest first, removal isn’t a suggestion, it’s a necessity," Hanaway said.
"Johnston’s record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability," she said.
KSHB reported that the alleged sexual assault occurred while Johnston and the suspect were involved in bumping boots, a detail that somehow makes the story even more astonishing.
The affair was reportedly only one entry in what court documents portray as an unusually active social calendar. Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway alleged Johnston also engaged "in an intimate and romantic relationship with a criminal defense attorney representing numerous criminal defendants" whose cases were being prosecuted by Johnston's own office.
Johnston was eventually disqualified from handling the sexual assault case, ending what may have been the least objective prosecution since someone decided Lady Justice should peek under the blindfold.
Hanaway accused Johnston of treating her office like her "personal playground."
"When an elected official treats public office like their personal playground, betraying the public trust, ignoring legal obligations, and putting self interest first, removal isn’t a suggestion, it’s a necessity," Hanaway said.
"Johnston’s record reflects a sustained pattern of misconduct and willful neglect that has undermined the integrity of the prosecutor’s office and poses a serious threat to public safety. In Missouri, public office is public trust, not a personal entitlement, and no one is above accountability," she said.
In other words, the "Show Me" state doesn't mean "I'll show you mine if you show me yours."
Court documents also allege Johnston entered "another romantic relationship" with a married domestic violence suspect, suggesting her office may have been operating under a bold new legal philosophy in which prosecutors personally interview defendants over candlelit dinners.
When an employee discovered the alleged affair, Johnston reportedly fired her. Police later requested that a special prosecutor take over the domestic violence case, presumably because "dating the defendant" had not yet been added to Missouri's list of recommended prosecutorial best practices.
Johnston was ultimately disqualified from prosecuting that case as well, leaving legal scholars to wonder whether the next edition of ethics training should simply begin with the words, "No, seriously. Don't date the suspects."
Court documents also allege Johnston entered "another romantic relationship" with a married domestic violence suspect, suggesting her office may have been operating under a bold new legal philosophy in which prosecutors personally interview defendants over candlelit dinners.
When an employee discovered the alleged affair, Johnston reportedly fired her. Police later requested that a special prosecutor take over the domestic violence case, presumably because "dating the defendant" had not yet been added to Missouri's list of recommended prosecutorial best practices.
Johnston was ultimately disqualified from prosecuting that case as well, leaving legal scholars to wonder whether the next edition of ethics training should simply begin with the words, "No, seriously. Don't date the suspects."
The bigger question is, why is she still working as a lawyer, much less a prosecutor?
Tweet
I want to thank you for following Brain Flushings. Please take time to simply check out the sponsors on this page--it's one way to support my work and you don't need to purchase anything to do so. Of course, you can Buy Me A Coffee if you want to support me directly. And finally, don't be afraid to subscribe if you enjoy the blog--it's free, and worth the cost.
No comments:
Post a Comment