(Image source: Florida Times-Union)

In Georgia, a judge resigns amidst an ethics investigation. Was it due to an investigation by Ira Glass and This American Life? Here’s host and reporter, Ira Glass, introducing the show back in april.

“Today on our show, we have a story about the kinds of court cases that never make the news because the offenses are so small. ... But these cases have life changing consequences because they’re being adjudicated in what is possibly the toughest drug court in the country. ... This is the story of what happens when a judge takes that power and starts doing things other courts don’t. Things that violate the philosophy of drug courts. After months of investigation, I believe that it’s likely no other drug court judge in the country is running a program like Amanda Williams.”

The report alleged that Judge Williams abused her authority by giving special treatment to friends and being unnecessarily harsh in certain cases. A few months after the This American Life episode aired, Georgia’s judicial commission received complaints from lawyers about the judge. A few months after that, Williams had turned in her robes. WSB reports.

“Brunswick Superior Court judge Amanda Williams is accused of several violations, including ordering drug defends to jail indefinitely. In a letter to Governor Deal, Williams said she would resign Jan. 2 and said she would never run for judicial office again. Williams was set to answer the charges next month and face an ethics hearing.”

Because of her resignation, Williams avoids facing the ethics charges. But as the story continues, more details of her courtroom behavior are coming to light, revealing a string of questionable decisions. From the Camden Tribune Georgian...

“In 2008, she allegedly sentenced drug court participant Lindsey Dills, who had a history of suicide attempts that the court acknowledged in its records, to an indefinite stay in jail and to have no contact with anyone, including her attorney. After 73 days, during which time no one visited her, Dills attempted suicide.”

And The New York Times reports that as time went on, her behavior reportedly got worse.

“...in recent years, [lawyers say], her behavior grew harsher and more punitive. The commission accused her of giving special treatment to the relatives of her friends, allowing her personal lawyer to represent clients before her and behaving in a ‘tyrannical’ manner. According to the commission’s 14-count list of charges against her, she sentenced drug-court defendants to ‘indefinite’ detention ‘until further order of the court.’”

Williams will resign on Jan. 2, just nine days before she was scheduled to face the commission investigating her conduct. She has served on the bench for 21 years.