WASHINGTON – A Louisiana federal judge is facing impeachment on corruption charges. The case against Judge G. Thomas Porteons is scheduled to go before the full Senate by mid-November.
If convicted, he would become just the eighth federal judge removed from the bench. A two-thirds vote is required for conviction. Federal judges are appointed for life.
In March the House voted unanimously to bring four articles of impeachment against Porteons.
He is accused of accepting cash, meals, trips and other favors from persons with business in his court.
A panel of 12 senators recently concluded hearing the case. Porteons has been suspended from hearing cases. He also is accused of filing a fraudulent bankruptcy and lying to Congress when the Senate confirmed him as a federal judge in 1994.