8 Comments
User's avatar
Robert James's avatar

Corrupt judges, corrupt commissioners, corrupt voting systems...It just gets better and better...

When will justice be done?😱

Glen Parker's avatar

"Just us" system, grrrrr

Sarah's avatar

Yikes, it's really troubling that he's in power

NorTexWarrior's avatar

Oh boy. Nepotism and favoritism has always run rampant in this county. My question is why in this case? What was Basden‘s motivation? How or where are the two interconnected in their past or are they? Or is this a case of total negligence on Basden’s part? I certainly hope he gives you an interview.

Really good investigative reporting. Thank-You!

Neural Foundry's avatar

Solid investigative work laying out the accountability gap with appointed commissioners. The detail about Basden directing removal of the standard probationary period is wild, like completely bypassing the safeguards designed to catch exactly this kind of problem. What's especially troubling is how the perjury arrest wasn't a disqualifier when Parker's entire job involves determining credibility in sworn testimony. I've worked in administrative law reform and this kind of structural insulation from voter accountability creates weird incentive misalignments where the appointing authority (Basden) has zero downside risk for bad hires. The lack of DV/abuse training for both Parker and Basden is a failure at the systemic leve l.

Arnold's avatar

You should investigate the corruption that was covered up in 2024 where two court clerks who work under both of these judges Victoria Montez and Lisa MacDonald were using their county work email to mock and discuss sensitive court case matters including mocking of a sexual assault victim during her victim impact speech and they swept it under the rug.

Frank's avatar

If you want more information on the two court clerks Lisa Jo MacDonald and Victoria Montez talking about sensitive cases and mocking victims of crimes on their work emails which was covered by these judges .email me arnoldfrank290@gmail.com