Simes defends actions before judicial ethics panel

  Judge L.T. Simes of Helena-West Helena enters the conference room for a hearing at the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission in Little Rock.
Judge L.T. Simes of Helena-West Helena enters the conference room for a hearing at the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission in Little Rock.

A suspended east Arkansas judge facing ethics charges is denying he used his influence to reinstate a fired police chief.

Circuit Judge L.T. Simes testified Thursday that he did not have any interest in any decisions about the employment of West Helena’s police chief. Simes faces charges from the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission that he violated judicial rules of conduct in a case about the chief’s firing.

A three-member panel of the commission completed its hearing on the charges against Simes on Thursday. The panel has 60 days to make a recommendation to the full commission.

Simes was suspended by the state Supreme Court on a separate charge last year. He was unopposed for re-election in May and will resume his post in January when his suspension ends.

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