Federal Judge Eleanor Ross Reprimanded for Chambers Affair, May 30

U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross of Atlanta received a private reprimand from the 11th Circuit Judicial Council after an investigation confirmed a two-year extramarital affair with Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Kelley Collier. The pair had sexual encounters in her chambers during work hours, within earshot of court staff. The scandal has drawn scrutiny from the Justice Department and sparked calls for congressional action.

What the Investigation Found

The 11th Circuit’s Special Committee concluded Ross engaged in sexual intercourse with Collier in her chambers multiple times from 2023 through 2025. Court employees reported hearing unsettling noises and music from her chambers during business hours. Security logs and surveillance footage showed Collier, in uniform, frequently visiting around lunchtime. The committee found Ross demonstrated a gross lack of judgment and created an uncomfortable working environment for staff.

The Punishment and Pushback

The Judicial Council issued only a private reprimand in February. The Judicial Conference of the United States upheld the discipline last week. Ross agreed to apologize to six former law clerks and step back from judicial leadership roles but remains an active federal judge. Legal ethics experts say the punishment was far too lenient given the severity of the misconduct.

DOJ Seeks Her Removal From Voter Case

The Justice Department asked Ross to recuse herself from a case involving Georgia’s voter registration list. The DOJ noted Ross attended a political campaign event for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, creating an appearance of bias. The department argued a judge who attended a party celebrating a Democrat’s election cannot preside over a case concerning election integrity. Ross initially declined to comment through her court.

Calls for Impeachment and Investigation

Fix the Court, a judicial reform group, called on the House Judiciary Committee to open an impeachment inquiry. The group cited Ross’s false statements to investigators and the report’s conclusion that she was unfit for office. The Atlanta Police Department launched its own investigation to confirm Collier’s identity and employment status. Congress has not yet responded to the impeachment calls.

Final Thoughts

Judge Ross remains on the bench despite serious misconduct findings. The private reprimand has sparked debate over whether federal judges face adequate accountability for ethical violations.

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