119 HRES 1351 IH: Impeaching Eleanor Louise Ross, Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
U.S. House of Representatives
2026-06-09
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That Eleanor Louise Ross, a Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors, and that the following articles of impeachment be exhibited to the Senate. Articles of impeachment exhibited by the House of Representatives of the United States of America in the name of itself and all of the people of the United States of America, against Eleanor Louise Ross, a judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, in maintenance and support of its impeachment against her for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Incident to her position as a United States District Court Judge, Eleanor Louise Ross has engaged in conduct with respect to improper sexual activity in chambers with a law enforcement officer that is incompatible with the trust and confidence placed in her as a judge, as follows: (1)For a period of roughly 2 years, from around October 2023 through October 2025, Judge Ross participated in an extramarital affair with high-ranking Atlanta Police Department officer, Kelley Collier.
(2)Mr. Collier was undoubtedly involved in numerous criminal and civil cases being litigated in the Northern District of Georgia. (3)Judge Ross did not disclose the affair to any other judge, court staff member, or litigating party.
(4)The undisclosed affair created the possibility that Judge Ross would be assigned to handle a case in which Mr. Collier or his employing police department had an interest, thus creating or appearing to create a conflict of interest. (5)Further, Judge Ross and Mr. Collier, while in Judge Ross’ chambers and during business hours, engaged in intimate contact, including, by admission of Judge Ross, sexual intercourse.
(6)At least 3 of Judge Ross’ former clerks heard sounds resulting from the intimate contact coming from Judge Ross’ chambers, thereby adversely affecting those staff members. (7)Judge Ross’ conduct regarding the relationship demonstrated a gross lack of judgment and created an uncomfortable and troubling workplace for staff members.
(8)Moreover, the undisclosed affair left Judge Ross vulnerable to extortion, as the Officer's spouse and Judge Ross' spouse were both unaware of the relationship, and the relationship could be used as leverage against a sitting Federal judge. (9)Judge Ross’ behavior violated multiple provisions of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, including—
(A)Canon 2, which provides that a judge should avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all activities
; (B)Canon 2(A), which adds that A judge should respect and comply with the law and should act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary
; and
(C)
the commentary to Canon 2(A), which further explains that public confidence in the judiciary is eroded by irresponsible or improper conduct by judges, including harassment and other inappropriate workplace behavior
.
Wherefore, Judge Eleanor Louise Ross is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. Eleanor Louise Ross engaged in judicial misconduct by attending a partisan political event, as follows:
(1)Judge Ross attended an event hosted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis’ campaign, as conceded by Judge Ross during the investigation. (2) Judge Ross attended the event the evening before she was scheduled to preside over a criminal revocation proceeding in her own courtroom.
(3)
The following morning, Judge Ross stated to court interns and staff that she had consumed too many martinis
the night before at an event hosted by the district attorney's campaign.
(4)
Judge Ross violated the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, including—
(A)
Canon 5, which states that a judge should refrain from political activity
; and
(B)
Canon 5(A)(1)(3), which explicitly prohibits a judge from attending a dinner or other event sponsored by a political organization or candidate
and a political organization
includes a group affiliated with a political party or candidate for public office
.
Wherefore, Judge Eleanor Louise Ross is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office. Eleanor Louise Ross corruptly obstructed, influenced, or impeded an official proceeding, as follows:
(1)In September 2025, the Chief Circuit Judge of the Eleventh Circuit received a complaint against Judge Ross based on a memorandum received from the Chief District Judge of Judge Ross’ court that suggested possible misconduct by Judge Ross. (2) On September 29, 2025, the Chief Circuit Judge notified Judge Ross of the report made by the Chief District Judge and requested that Judge Ross respond to the allegations in the Chief District Judge’s memo no later than October 20, 2025.
(3)
Later the same day, Judge Ross submitted a response that denied each allegation and characterized the allegations as outrageous
and baseless
.
(4)
The same day, Judge Ross also sent an email to the Chief District Judge denying the allegations and denying that Judge Ross knew the identity of the alleged visitor to her chambers.
(5)
On September 30, 2025, after receiving Judge Ross’ response, the Chief Circuit Judge appointed a special committee to investigate the allegations in the complaint. The special committee subsequently retained experienced counsel to assist in conducting the investigation.
(6)
The special committee found that Judge Ross made numerous, material false statements to the Chief Circuit Judge and the Chief District Judge when initially responding to the allegations.
(7)
Specifically, Judge Ross falsely stated I have never engaged in sexual intercourse in my office, nor anywhere else in the Courthouse
. Judge Ross further falsely stated that she was not sure who this allegation concerns or whether it is alleged to have occurred with different individuals
and that she was astounded and confused, and have no idea what this clerk is referring to
.
(8)
Judge Ross did not recant these false statements until October 10, 2025, 11 days after making them, by which time the special committee had already gathered significant corroborating evidence. The special committee found that Judge Ross' recantation came only after she likely knew her false statements had been, or were about to be, exposed, and declined to treat the recantation as absolution.
(9)
Rule 4(a)(5) of the Judicial-Conduct Rules states that cognizable misconduct includes refusing, without good cause shown, to cooperate in the investigation of a complaint
.
(10)
Judge Ross’ failure to truthfully respond to Chief Judge Pryor’s inquiry constituted a failure to cooperate in the investigation of the complaint and thus an instance of cognizable judicial misconduct.
(11)
Not only did Judge Ross fail to fulfill her duty to self-report under Rule 4(a)(6), but her false statements to Chief Judge Pryor and to the Chief District Judge constituted affirmative attempts to prevent the Chief Judges from learning of her misconduct, thereby obstructing the judicial conduct process established by Congress.
(12)
Further, under Section 1001 of Title 18, United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1001), it is a felony to knowingly and willfully
make any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation
on any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch
of the Federal Government.
(13)
In making numerous, material false statements to the Chief Circuit Judge and the Chief District Judge, Judge Ross' conduct would constitute a felony in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001 in any other Federal context, reflecting the gravity of the misconduct and the degree to which it subverted the integrity of an official proceeding.
Wherefore, Judge Eleanor Louise Ross is guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors and should be removed from office.