The Case of the Masturbating Judge
The following is a condensed and reformatted copy of the original article published on Bubbaworld and detailing the allegations against former Creek County District Judge Donald D. Thompson. The original report and those updates prior to the start of Thompson's trial are included.
The Basics:
Government scandal is no stranger to Oklahoma. As a matter of fact, government scandal is as much a part of Oklahoma as are the tornadoes of spring, the searing heat of summer and the ice storms of winter.
The most recent government scandal and one still on-going involves Creek County District Judge Donald D. Thompson. Judge Thompson is alleged to have masturbated and used a so called penis pump while on the bench and presiding over both jury and non-jury trials, including trials for first degree murder.
Judge Thompson has repeatedly denied the allegations and has stated that the allegations against him are part of a vendetta on the part of Sapulpa, Oklahoma Police Chief Jim Wall Jr.
Wall filed a complaint against Judge Thompson with the Oklahoma Council on Judicial Complaints. The council conducted an investigation and referred the matter to Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson. Edmondson ultimately filed an ouster petition with the Oklahoma Court on the Judiciary, seeking Judge Thompson's removal from the bench.
Judge Thompson, facing an ouster trial on September 13, submitted a letter of resignation to Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry on August 18th. Thompson's resignation became effective on September 1, 2004. Following his resignation, the professional misconduct case against Thompson was dismissed. With his retirement from the bench, Judge Thompson will reportedly receive a pension of approximately $88,800 each year for life.
As of the date of this writing, criminal charges possibly alleging indecent exposure or outraging public decency are being considered against Thompson. Attorney General Edmondson forwarded the results of the judicial investigation to the Creek County District Attorney's office for consideration of possible charges. Creek County District Attorney Max Cook recused his office from the case owing to the fact that the District Attorney himself might be called as a witness in any criminal trial.
Attorney General Edmondson then appointed Richard Smotherman, the district attorney for Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties to handle the case. As of the date of this writing no criminal charges have been filed and the investigation is reportedly continuing.
