ATLANTA (CN) — A former Hart County, Georgia, probate judge is facing bribery and civil rights violation charges alleging that he solicited sexual favors in exchange for reduced charges from three women.
Filed Thursday in Atlanta, the indictment charges Bobby Joe Smith, 77, with one count of bribery and three counts of civil rights violations. It says Smith met with three women between May 2013 and May 2014 regarding drunken-driving charges and other traffic-related offenses.
In the first meeting with one of the women, Smith allegedly kissed and groped the woman without her consent. He then reduced the charges she was facing.
During another meeting with a second woman, Smith allegedly kissed her on the lips, groped her and then exposed himself. That woman's charges were also eventually reduced.
A third woman also alleges Smith kissed her and tried to grope her before arranging to have her charges reduced by allegedly leaving a message in which he claimed the woman was his granddaughter.
Smith is expected to appear in court on April 25.
Follow @KaylaGoggin_CNS
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.
Additional Reads
-
Minnesota governor appoints two Supreme Court justices April 22, 2024 -
