The Maryland Supreme Court has removed Prince George’s County Circuit Judge April T. Ademiluyi from the bench, citing “egregious” misconduct. In a per curiam order filed on Monday afternoon, the court concluded that removal was the appropriate disposition due to the severity of the misconduct. The court did not provide reasons for the order, indicating that a detailed opinion will be filed at a later date.
The high court considered the recommendation and findings of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, which determined that Judge Ademiluyi had engaged in sanctionable conduct. This included allegedly refusing training, showing bias toward criminal defendants, and antagonizing staff and colleagues.
During arguments before the high court on Monday, Judge Ademiluyi’s counsel argued that her case should be dismissed and sealed, claiming that some of her judicial colleagues and the commission had retaliated against her after she filed a complaint alleging that one of her orders had been changed by another judicial colleague without her consent.
In February, the commission unanimously agreed that Judge Ademiluyi had committed sanctionable conduct and recommended a censure and six months’ suspension without pay. During Monday’s arguments, executive counsel for the commission recommended upholding the commission’s findings and making a ruling immediately. “Judge Ademiluyi’s conduct was not reflective of the judiciary’s mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all,” Kendra Jolivet stated. “In fact, her actions were not fair, not efficient, and did not effectuate justice.”
Judge Ademiluyi is also facing charges before the commission that she harassed a judicial colleague and improperly shared confidential materials from the investigation into her conduct. Judge Michael R. Pearson, a fellow Prince George’s County circuit judge, testified last week before the commission that Judge Ademiluyi had repeatedly sent him unwanted text messages and emails that grew more personal in nature and eventually prompted him to respond that he had no interest in a personal relationship with her.
It is unclear if Judge Ademiluyi’s scheduled hearing before the commission on these charges, where she is expected to testify, will still occur on Friday. A spokesperson for the Maryland Judiciary stated that four judges have been removed by the high court in the judiciary’s history.