Wisconsin Judicial Commission v. Kenneth W. Gorski

Summary

The Wisconsin Supreme Court reviewed a Judicial Conduct Panel's findings that part-time court commissioner Kenneth W. Gorski committed judicial misconduct. The court held that he willfully violated provisions of Wisconsin's Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to recuse himself or disclose a close friendship with an attorney and by making inappropriate comments to a self-represented litigant, and imposed a public reprimand.

Holdings

1. The admitted factual allegations established that Gorski willfully violated SCR 60.04(4)(a), SCR 60.04(4), SCR 60.04(1)(d), SCR 60.03(1), and SCR 60.02, thereby constituting judicial misconduct under Wis. Stat. § 757.81(4)(a).
2. A public reprimand was an appropriate and sufficient sanction for Gorski's judicial misconduct.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the admitted facts established that Gorski willfully violated the specified provisions of the Wisconsin Code of Judicial Conduct and thereby committed judicial misconduct.
2. Whether a public reprimand was the appropriate discipline for Gorski's failure to recuse or disclose his close friendship with counsel and for his angry and sarcastic comments to a self-represented litigant.

Disposition

other