16-07-2025
Washington Co. solicitor resigns citing weeks of harassment
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – The part-time Washington County solicitor has resigned.
Michael Howard made the announcement on Facebook.
He said he's left his position after what he calls weeks of online harassment of recused Washington County Sate Court Judge, John Dana.
Howard claims Judge Dana made allegations of corruption against him in May.
Read the entire Facebook post below:
Following weeks of online harassment courtesy of recused Washington County State Court Judge John Dana and the attorney hired to do his bidding, Michael Howard has resigned from his position as part-time Washington County Solicitor. Judge Dana, who was forced to recuse himself from all criminal cases in State Court due to his own violations of Georgia's Code of Judicial Conduct, has through his lawyer Ben Sessions made daily social media posts attacking Howard and promising the attacks will not stop until Howard resigns. 'You can stop the embarrassment of yourself and your community,' Sessions posted on June 26. 'This is ON YOU.' According to Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.3 (B) addressing bias, prejudice, and harassment, 'a judge shall not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct manifest bias or prejudice, or engage in harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, or harassment based upon age, disability, ethnicity, gender or sex, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. Judges shall not permit court staff, court officials, or others subject to the judge's direction and control to do so.'On May 13, Judge Dana made outlandish allegations of corruption against Solicitor Howard and the State Court Public Defender, exhibiting clear bias and prejudice, for which Judge Dana was forced to recuse himself from all criminal cases in State Court so long as Howard remained in place. Judge Dana, in retaliation, engaged in a public harassment campaign against Howard, directing his hired attorney to attack him on social media, intimidate Howard's private clients and encourage his clients to fire him. 'Serving as Washington County Solicitor has been an honor until the clear bias, prejudice, and harassment by Judge Dana and his allies made it impossible for me and my family to continue doing so,' said Howard. 'Judge Dana, who will have still violated Georgia's Code of Judicial Conduct long after I am gone, can find someone else to retaliate against for his own actions that he understandably finds professionally embarrassing.' Following Howard's resignation, Georgia's Judicial Qualifications Commission's investigation into Judge Dana's violations remains pending.
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