Judge Creighton's Behavior Should Be Beyond Reproach By Karen L. Bune

Voters in Montgomery County, Maryland need to utilize good common sense when it comes time to vote for the judiciary in November. The history surrounding Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Audrey Creighton and her intimate involvement with a former client, Rickley Senning, who she represented as his public defender, is beyond salacious. Her association with a convict and the fact he was admittedly living in her home and engaged in an intimate relationship with her not only smacks of unethical conduct for a judge but also points to a serious conflict of interest. Her deceitful response to the police in which she stated her relationship was "platonic" and her later admission,when filing for a protective order, that it was intimate causes one to pause about her association with an ex-con places her in a vulnerable and compromising position in significant ways. As a judge, her behavior and actions should be beyond reproach. However, it is apparent her actions have demonstrated flawed judgment which is of serious concern when she is in a position to make serious decisions about the fate of others lives when they stand before her in a courtroom. In a public role, her personal life becomes open to scrutiny of both her character and integrity. Though Daniel Patrick Connell,an attorney,may not have gone through a formal judicial vetting process,he served as a Marine which speaks volumes in regard to meeting rigorous standards of conduct along with possessing character and integrity. Creighton,on the other hand,who was initially selected by Governor O’Malley (D-MD) and was supposedly vetted, has failed to provide a good example of that process and draws into question the depth and quality surrounding it. Creighton appears to be a poor choice to continue in her role as a Circuit Court judge. The honorable thing for her to do would be to turn in her resignation. If she fails to do that, voters in Montgomery County should wisely bid her farewell. ***Karen L. Bune is a national criminal justice consultant and an adjunct profess at two universities in VA.