The Louisiana Supreme Court turned down a recommendation to extend a part-time Kaplan City Court judge’s judicial probation period that was imposed after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor crimes stemming from a groping incident at his January 2017 bachelor party.
The Louisiana Judiciary Commission had recommended that F. Stanton Hardee III’s monitoring agreement be extended an additional four years – until Dec. 5, 2026. The high court previously signed off on a parallel recommendation in Hardee’s case by the Office of Disciplinary Council (ODC), which oversees attorney behavior. That disciplinary action established a five-year monitoring that began in December 2017, as well as his suspension from his practice of law for one year, with all but six months deferred.
The Judiciary Commission filed formal charges against Hardee in February 2019, recommending that the Supreme Court impose the extended monitoring by the state Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, with a directive that he be suspended from judicial office for two years, with all but six months deferred and retroactive to when Hardee was suspended as an attorney. That means he can now continue serving in his capacity as a part-time judge.
“It is undisputed that he grabbed the buttocks of a waitress without her consent, Park City (Utah) police were called, he did not immediately produce identification and he failed to cooperate with police at the scene,” the Louisiana Supreme Court opinion issued Jan. 27 states.
Hardee will also have to pay just over $2,000 in fees associated with the investigation and prosecution of the disciplinary proceeding, according to the opinion. The judge did not respond to a request for comment.
The Judiciary Commission is an independent, constitutionally created entity that investigates possible violations of ethical rules by state judicial officers, according to the Supreme Court’s spokeswoman, Trina Vincent.
“Only the Louisiana Supreme Court may discipline a judicial officer, but the court may do so only on the basis of a recommendation from the Judiciary Commission,” Vincent said in an email to the Louisiana Record.
Although Hardee has not been disciplined for any other judicial misconduct, the court said his conduct harmed the reputation of the state’s judicial system. He pleaded no contest to sexual battery, failure to disclose his identity, interference with an arresting officer and intoxication.
“Judge Hardee’s actions harmed the integrity of the judiciary,” the high court’s decision said. “He admitted to drunkenly groping a woman and refused to cooperate with police. His conduct was reported in the local media in his judicial jurisdiction and damaged public respect for the judiciary.”
Hardee has since been re-elected to another term in office. Although the high court rejected extended monitoring, it agreed with the Judiciary Commission on the suspension terms and the fine.