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Jefferson County judge seeking ‘legal relief' against seven justices of the peace

Jefferson County judge seeking ‘legal relief' against seven justices of the peace

Yahoo02-04-2025
PINE BLUFF, Ark.- Jefferson County Judge Gerald Robinson announced in a letter to the justices of the peace that he is seeking 'legal relief' by asking the court to step in and find a legal solution.
This comes after the ongoing budget gridlock between him and seven of the justices of the peace.
'We (he and the finance committee) have come to the table several times, as you know, and we have made concessions at least three to four times,' Robinson said.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs Jefferson County budget correction bill, goes into immediate effect
The letter addresses ongoing budgetary and procedural violations within the Jefferson County Quorum Court.
The judge's letter highlights the reintroduction of a rejected 2025 budget, violations of Arkansas law, and the improper calling of special meetings without the County Judge's consent.
'Seven have went along with and creating these irregularities in the budget and are consistent on these irregularities continuing,' Robinson said.
He said these actions led to the enactment of invalid legislation.
The letter criticizes unauthorized salary increases, improper positions added, nepotism violations, and defiance of court rulings, particularly regarding the employment of Morgan Tillman, the daughter of the County Assessor.
'My opinion is total corruption on their part, corruption on the part of elected officials that have created these irregularities in the budget,' Robinson said.
READ THE FULL LETTER
It also notes the Quorum Court's failure to pass a legally compliant budget, which led to state intervention through Senate Bill 182.
'It created a stir to where the state had to step in and that we could at least get the employees paid,' Robinson said. 'The bill that was created holds the county judge and the quorum court responsible with nonpayment or without being paid, therefore I am the only constitutional officer that is not getting paid and the 13 justices are not receiving their per diem.'
Lastly, the letter addresses that the quorum court held another invalid meeting on March 21st, where they tried to pass a procedural ordinance without the judge's consent. He stated he has since vetoed the ordinance.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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