Ex-Law Clerk Who Posed as Judge Pleads Not Guilty at Hearing

CHICAGO, IL — A former law clerk pleaded not gulity at an arraignment Friday stemming from accusations that she impersonated a judge over the summer, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Rhonda Crawford was charged with felony official misconduct and false impersonation, the report stated. She was released on $10,000 bail, the report added. Crawford's lawyer announced the Cook County grand jury indictment against his client Thursday.

Crawford is accused of presiding over three minor traffic cases Aug. 11 in Judge Valerie Turner's courtroom, while under the real judge's supervision. During a press conference last month, Crawford said she made no official case decisions on the bench and followed Turner's instructions the entire time. However, her cases were later reheard and dismissed.

No charges are expected to be filed against Turner in the case, the report stated.

RELATED: Ex-Law Clerk Who Posed as Judge: 'I Did Not Decide Any Cases'

Crawford — who was fired from her law clerk post for Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans after the incident — is still running for the open judge seat in the 1st Judicial Subcircuit in November. She faces Cook County Circuit Judge Maryam Ahmad, a write-in candidate who threw her hat into the ring after the reports of Crawford's judge impersonation surfaced.

Election attorney Burton Odelson, however, filed an emergency motion Friday with the Illinois Supreme Court to remove Crawford from the Nov. 8 ballot if the court suspends her law license, an action requested by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Earlier this month, the state agency filed a formal complaint against Crawford, accusing her of impersonating a judge and making false statements in an investigation.

RELATED: State Agency Files Complaint Against Ex-Law Clerk Who Posed as Judge

In a statement released Friday, Odelson, who filed the motion on behalf of Ahmad, said "Rhonda Crawford does not have the fitness or competency to practice law, let alone be a judge."

"Should Crawford remain on the ballot or her votes are counted, Illinois will again be embarrassed, throughout the world, this time by electing a lawyer under criminal indictment and facing possible disbarment," he added.

More via the Chicago Tribune

photo via Shutterstock

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