Arkansas judge allegedly gave lighter sentences in exchange for sexual favors

An Arkansas judge has resigned after being accused of giving favorable deals to defendants in exchange for sexual favors. Timothy Parker resigned last week after the state's Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission provided evidence that he was guilty of sexual misconduct. From the New York Times:

In its letter outlining the case against Mr. Parker, the commission alleged that from approximately 2013 to 2016, he “engaged in a pattern of personal relationships with many female litigants” that included setting favorable bond conditions or releasing the women from jail without bail.

“The bond or release of these women or their family or friends were done by their request in exchange for sexual favors,” the commission’s statement said.

It said the commission has recorded video statements from more than a dozen women and obtained text messages that supported the allegations. It said there were other undisputed allegations against the judge, including that he sometimes personally showed up at the county jail to order the release without bail of friends, and that he would give them rides home in his personal vehicle.

In addition, according to the letter, "allegations also exist about trading cash or prescription pills for sexual favors or money with many of the same women, as well as other women in the community."

Despite his resignation, Parker has not admitted wrongdoing, and explicitly denied these allegations to the Associated Press. When asked why he didn't fight the allegations if he is indeed innocent, Parker stated, “I have young children and I don’t want them exposed to that kind of crap.”

The Times reports that there's "also a criminal investigation underway by a special prosecutor and that Mr. Parker's law license could be placed under investigation by a separate agency that regulates those licenses," according to the commission's executive director, David Sachar.