Chapter 8

Alicia flipped open the transcript. Her eyes scanned the lines of text: "Girl." "Section 8 mentality." "People from your background." Seeing the words in black and white made her blood run cold, but it also fueled the righteous fire burning in her chest."We've had over twenty anonymous complaints about Judge Shaw in the last three years," Alicia said softly, tracing her finger over his horrific quotes. "Complaints from public defenders, pro se litigants, even a few courageous court clerks. They all alleged racism, sexism, and gross abuse of power. But because they were mostly poor minorities, the previous JQC board dismissed them as 'unsubstantiated grievance filings.'""They were terrified of him," Marcus noted. "Shaw is heavily connected. He plays golf with state senators. He's untouchable.""No one is untouchable," Alicia corrected, her eyes flashing with dangerous intensity. She looked up at Marcus. "Tell me about his current political ambitions. I know he's not satisfied with Superior Court."Marcus pulled a tablet from his jacket. "That's where the timing of this gets interesting. Shaw is currently the front-runner to fill the vacant seat on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals—a lifetime federal appointment. Word on the street is that the White House is preparing to announce his nomination next week. He's been heavily lobbying the political establishment. He thinks he's a shoo-in."Alicia leaned back in her high-backed leather chair, steepling her fingers beneath her chin. A slow, predatory smile spread across her face. Judge Gregory Shaw was standing on the absolute precipice of his career, about to achieve his lifelong dream of ultimate, unaccountable federal power."Let him dream," Alicia whispered. "Let him think he's won. The higher he climbs, the harder the fall.""So, what's the play?" Marcus asked, leaning over the desk."We bypass the preliminary investigation," Alicia instructed, her voice all business. "We have direct eyewitness testimony: mine. We have the authenticated, unedited transcript. We have the audio. I want you to prepare a Notice of Formal Proceedings. Charge him with violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct: Rule 1.2, failure to promote confidence in the judiciary; Rule 2.3, manifesting bias and prejudice; and Rule 2.8, failure to be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants."Marcus nodded, taking rapid notes. "When do we serve him?""He's attending the Georgia Bar Association gala at the Piedmont Driving Club this Saturday," Alicia said, pulling up his itinerary on her computer. "He'll be celebrating his impending federal nomination surrounded by his sycophants. We wait until Monday morning. Let him have his weekend of glory. First thing Monday, we serve him with a mandatory summons for an emergency disciplinary hearing. Give him exactly forty-eight hours to appear before the full commission.""He's going to lawyer up," Marcus warned. "He'll hire Richard Hale, best defense attorney in the state.""Let him," Alicia said coldly. "No lawyer in the world can unring this bell—especially when the star witness is the judge of his judges."

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