The Fifth Circuit has officially discontinued an investigation concerning the former bankruptcy judge caught up in an ethical controversy associated with his intimate involvement with a local bankruptcy attorney. This announcement came on the same day that Judge David R. Jones’ resignation from the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas took effect, Bloomberg Law reported.
In October, Jones drew public criticism when he confessed to having a long-term liaison with an attorney, Elizabeth Freeman, from Jackson Walker, a renowned bankruptcy firm, which frequently presented clients before him in court. Freeman left Jackson Walker in December.
Priscilla Richman, the Chief Judge of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, stated on Wednesday that Jones’ resignation, which he declared only days after the Fifth Circuit filed its complaint in October, implied that he was no longer subject to the court’s disciplinary proceedings. The resignation constituted an intervening event making further activities on the complaint unnecessary, Judge Richman confirmed.
According to the complaint, Freeman and Jones were cohabiting since at least 2017. The last day of Jones’ service at the court was Wednesday, as affirmed by Randy Crane, the Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of Texas, via email. Crane also noted that Jones’ staff accepted buyouts, except for a single law clerk who opted to continue working for the court.
Despite Jones’ departure from the bench, the fallout linked to the revelation of his relationship continues. The bankruptcy monitoring unit of the Justice Department is opposing approximately $13 million in fees that Jones authorized for Jackson Walker across multiple cases. The firm recently accused Freeman of concealing her relationship with Jones.