Federal Judge Eleanor Ross Reprimanded for Chambers Affair, May 29

Judge Eleanor Ross of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia received a private reprimand after a judicial conduct committee found she engaged in sexual intercourse in her chambers during business hours over two years. The affair with an Atlanta Police Department commander created workplace discomfort for law clerks and raised conflict-of-interest risks. Ross also made false statements during the investigation and attended a partisan political event.

What the Investigation Found

A special judicial conduct committee of the Eleventh Circuit released a report May 22 detailing the misconduct. The unnamed judge engaged in sexual intercourse in chambers during business hours between 2023 and 2025, demonstrating a gross lack of judgment. Law clerks reported overhearing the encounters on multiple occasions, creating an extremely uncomfortable and troubling workplace. Security footage and logs confirmed the officer frequently visited chambers in uniform around lunchtime.

Judge Ross Identified and Her Background

Bloomberg Law identified the judge as Eleanor Ross, 58, nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in 2014. Ross is the first Black woman to serve as a judge on the Northern District of Georgia. She previously worked as a federal prosecutor in the district and as a prosecutor in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. She presided over the 2022 trial of reality TV star Todd Chrisley, sentencing him to 12 years in federal prison. President Trump later pardoned Chrisley.

The Officer and Conflict-of-Interest Risk

The affair involved Atlanta Police Department Deputy Chief Kelley Collier, who commands the department’s community services division. Collier has worked for the police department since 1998 and held his current command position since 2025. The committee report found the relationship created a conflict-of-interest risk. Ross did not preside over any case involving the officer or police department between January 2022 and October 2025.

Discipline and Conditions Imposed

The committee issued a private reprimand, keeping Ross’s name secret initially because she demonstrated rehabilitation potential and had an otherwise exemplary service record. Ross agreed to write apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the position of chief judge, and refrain from serving on any Judicial Conference committee. The committee also found Ross made false statements to investigators and improperly attended a partisan political event. Her identity was later revealed by Bloomberg Law reporting.

Final Thoughts

Judge Ross remains on the bench despite the reprimand, which sparked criticism that the punishment was too lenient. The case raises questions about judicial accountability and public confidence in federal courts.

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