1425: Russ Casey

Russ Casey was a Justice of the Peace in Tarrant County, Texas. He was running for re-election in the Republican primary when he was discovered to have forged his petition signatures. Ironically, this came to light as his accusations of that exact same thing against his primary opponents were being investigated. He pleaded guilty to voter fraud and was sentenced to probation. This is notable in that he committed voter fraud in the same county as the Black woman Crystal Mason who got ten years.

However, he seems to have skated on the more serious allegations of indecent exposure, sexual harassment, and sexual abuse brought by his former clerk. He apologized to her and that settled it for her.

The woman began working for Casey in 2007. She had worked for him for three years when she borrowed a small amount of money. When she went into his office to repay the loan, he exposed himself and demanded oral sex from her. When she refused, he said he had been good to her, loaned her money, and kept her employed. She needed to return the favor. Thinking her job threatened, she complied.

The relationship continued for several years. However, after her son died, she wanted to stop. She said she thought her son was watching them and was uncomfortable. So she was fired and accused of mishandling money. She also says she had complained to the county human resources office twice in the past and was once told they could do nothing as the judge was an elected official. They said this even though she brought in a semen-stained dress to provide proof.

After the judge fired her, the County placed her on paid leave. She still works for the County. The judge admitted a sexual relationship, but claimed it was consensual. The lawsuit provides a list of several witnesses, coworkers who heard the judge yelling at her, threatening her job, and screaming obscenities at her in front of them.

He now has a felony conviction for voter fraud, five years probation, community service, and a fine for committing voter fraud. For the ongoing sexual abuse of an employee, he apologized and is able to complain that it was all consensual.

Sexual harassment is treated as a civil offense rather than a crime. Coercing someone for sex to keep their job should be counted as rape, but instead, it’s more like a parking ticket. And certainly, he has his sympathizers.

• NBCDFW: Clerk’s Semen-Stained Dress Proof of Judge’s Sexual Harassment: Lawsuit
• Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Tarrant County JP