Garfield County Judge Faces New Allegations Of Misconduct

Oklahoma's Chief Justice filed a petition on Thursday against Garfield County Associate District Judge Brian Lovell, accusing him of misconduct and seeking his removal from office.

In the 28-page petition, Chief Justice John Kane IV cites the findings of an investigation conducted by the council on judicial complaints. 

The investigation was separate from the ongoing criminal cases pending against Lovell in Texas and Oklahoma, both related to shootings and which his defense attorneys deny any wrongdoing on his behalf.

The latest allegations range from improper communications with and about attorneys, to having sex with co-workers inside the courthouse.

"Judge Lovell has been ambushed by the Oklahoma Council on judicial complaints by a series of allegations in the petition referring the matter to the court on the judiciary that Judge Lovell was never notified of and for which a response from him was never sought, even though he had a lawyer and was prepared to defend against the allegations, which we repeatedly sought notice of what they were, and repeatedly we were denied that notice," said Stephen Jones, who is representing Lovell in Oklahoma.

However, the petition accuses Lovell of refusing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities. 

The Court of the Judiciary will meet on Tuesday to discuss the case, with the first hearing scheduled for July 30, 2024.