State panel says Griffin judge should be removed from bench

A state judicial watchdog panel is recommending that Superior Court Judge Mack Crawford of the Griffin Judicial Circuit be removed from office for the alleged theft of court funds.

Crawford, a former state legislator who also once headed the state’s public defender system, has already been indicted for the alleged incident. Crawford, who has pleaded not guilty, presides over cases in Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson counties. Because of the indictment, Crawford is currently suspended from office.

The recommendation that Crawford be removed from office was made by a state Judicial Qualifications Commission hearing panel composed of Chief Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, Atlanta lawyer Jamala McFadden and Cobb County Police Chief Michael Register. Its recommendation now goes to the Georgia Supreme Court, which will make the ultimate decision on Crawford’s fate.

In 2002, while a private attorney, Crawford represented two clients who placed $15,675 into the Pike County court’s registry while their foreclosure case was pending. In 2009, a judge dismissed the case and ordered the funds be returned to Crawford’s clients.

Read more: https://www.ajc.com/news/local/state-panel-says-griffin-judge-should-removed-from-bench/nfRbGupMEuo5b5x8lSkplL/