Court of Judiciary suspends indicted Roane Co. judge
The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary ordered an interim suspension of General Sessions Judge Thomas A. Austin, 57, following his arrest Monday on charges of receiving more than $13,000 in kickbacks from a driving school where he sent offenders.
“Under the circumstances, the members of the Court of Judiciary agreed that it was necessary to act as quickly as possible to suspend Judge Austin,” said Presiding Judge Steven Stafford.
The 16-member court can suspend any judge “upon the filing of an indictment, presentment or information charging a judge with a felony under the law of any state or under federal law.”
Austin, who has held the elected judgeship for at least 26 years, will remain suspended “from all judicial duties for so long as the felony charges are pending or until this court otherwise orders,” Stafford wrote.
He will continue to be paid, however.
Austin is facing seven counts of extortion and one count of money laundering. Each count carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
When Austin did not offer a plea at his arraignment Monday, U.S. Magistrate Bruce Guyton entered an innocent plea for him and set his trial for March 29.
The indicted judge was released on condition that he have no contact with witnesses, turn over his guns and submit to drug testing.