Colleagues call on Marion County judge accused of misconduct to resign 20%
By Whitney Woodworth31%
8/2/2026, 4:01:42 AM
BS Summary: This article contains 20 faulty reasoning types, including Appeal to Emotion, Anecdotal, and Appeal to Authority, with Negativity Bias as the most egregious example at 27.8% saturation with 354 hits. Analysis detected 1,322 faulty-reasoning hits from 1,275 analyzed words, generating a BS Score of 30% and a BS Rank of 20% (20,366 of 25,472 articles). This article is better (less manipulative) than 80.00% of the article peer group.
Colleagues call on Marion County judge accused of misconduct to resign
A Marion County judge accused of misconduct will not return to the courthouse until at least Oct.
31.
Bennett is accused of repeatedly using vulgarities and discussing female judges' sex lives at a judicial conference.
The Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability is investigating the misconduct allegations against Bennett, who is on voluntary leave.
Embattled Marion County Circuit Court Judge Channing Bennett will not return to the courthouse until at least Oct. 31, his attorney told the Oregon Judicial Department.
Bennett, who is accused of repeatedly uttering misogynistic and homophobic vulgarities and talking about female judges' sex lives while drinking at an April conference, is under investigation by the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability.
He was last reportedly set to return to work in August and his cases have been reassigned.
Meanwhile, some Marion County judges have called for his resignation.
Others on the Marion County bench asked Oregon Supreme Court Justice Meagan Flynn to take action ahead of Bennett's anticipated August return.
Marion County Judges Natasha Zimmerman and Audrey Broyles asked that the Oregon Supreme Court exercise its authority to temporarily suspend Bennett until his misconduct review is complete.
Zimmerman said in her letter that the allegations against Bennett and the ensuing media coverage damaged the public's trust in the court.
"With the current allegations unresolved, I do not believe that litigants, especially women and members of the LGBTQ+ community, can be assured of a fair process if their case is assigned to Judge Bennett," she wrote.
"I am further concerned about the message sent to our employees if Judge Bennett returns to the courthouse and regular duties while the allegations are pending.
Our employees should feel safe and supported in the work environment."
Broyles said the incident has "stressed, distracted and embarrassed" the Marion County bench.
"While I know that this had nothing to do with me, there is a sense of shame that I feel because one of our own has been so bereft of decency, unwavering in his lack of remorse and actively pursuing support from other members of the bench throughout the state as well as members of the Bar in our community," Broyles said.
Presiding Judge James Edmonds included a letter to the Oregon Supreme Court circulating among Marion County judges calling for Bennett's resignation and asked Flynn to exercise her authority as chief justice, which gives the power to recommend a temporary suspension.
The unsigned letter circulating among the judges is penned to Bennett.
"It is undeniable that your ability to work with us and the community is now compromised," the letter said.
"We regret we are placed in the position to call for your resignation, but your actions violated judicial standards.
Accordingly, we conclude that for good of the judicial system in Marion County your resignation is warranted."
They said his actions breached a long-worked-for trust in the courthouse.
"Your behavior and comments cannot be condoned," they said.
"Your conduct went well beyond hurting and traumatizing your colleagues and others.
Due to your actions, if you return to the courthouse many judgesand employees will feel that their workplace is a hostile environment."
Oregon Supreme Court legal counsel Kendra Matthews said in a response to Edmonds and Zimmerman that since Bennett delayed his return, the court concluded that it was not necessary to initiate the process to temporarily suspend him.
Matthews noted that Flynn did not participate in this decision.
Several female Marion County judges said they feared retaliation and returning to the courthouse following Bennett's outbursts at the Oregon Circuit Court Judges Association conference in Sunriver.
An Oregon Judicial Department investigation, reported on first by The Oregonian and obtained by the Statesman Journal, detailed an evening in which Bennett used "the c-word" to refer to Marion County Deputy District Attorney Shannon Sullivan 15 to 20 times while at a gathering in another Marion County judge's suite.
He also allegedly used the word and another misogynistic term in reference to Judge Jodie Bureta and Judge Amy Queen, who were both in the room.
It was alleged he used a homophobic term to refer to Judge Sean Armstrong and repeatedly talked about Judge Jennifer Gardiner's sex life.
All the judges interviewed said the behavior made them uncomfortable, and the female judges described the incident as traumatic and upsetting.
Several judges cited Bennett's access to firearms as part of their safety concerns.
A loaded, unauthorized firearm was allegedly recovered in his office.
After the April incident, a complaint was filed with the judicial department, and Bennett went on voluntary leave.
Investigation reveals deteriorating relationships, shattered trust with DA's office
Witnesses told investigators Bennett's relationships with other judges deteriorated after he did not get enough votes to be the presiding judge in 2022 and 2025.
They said he stopped attending meetings and gatherings and appeared resentful toward other judges.
The gathering on April 27 was intended to be a team-building experience.
It ended with the guests leaving upset with Bennett's conduct and Bennett passing out on the couch.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office conducted security and safety-planning meetings, and judges discussed having escorts and different parking arrangements if Bennett returned to work.
In the investigation report, an Oregon Judicial Department deputy marshal found no evidence of planned acts of violence but noted that numerous judges felt threatened and unsafe.
Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson requested that no cases involving her office be heard by Bennett.
Eight Marion County judges urged the county's presiding judge to keep Bennett out of the courtroom until the investigation is complete or discipline is taken.
"I have the duty to ensure that the efforts of my staff are met with professionalism and respect and can be fulfilled without fear of harassment, retaliation or hostility," Clarkson said in the June 2 letter obtained by the Statesman Journal.
She said that based on the incident as well as Bennett's prior and subsequent conduct, she no longer felt he could be "fair, impartial or objective" to her staff or cases involving her office.
Oregon Judicial Department officials confirmed on May 19 that Bennett was "taking some time away from the bench."
A department spokeswoman said a report had been made to the Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability, and the department retained outside counsel to thoroughly investigate, as leaders determine the next steps.
If the commission finds sufficient evidence that a violation has occurred, it will make a recommendation to the Oregon Supreme Court on how a judge should be disciplined.
That could include censure, suspension or removal.
In a statement sent to the Statesman Journal on May 20, Bennett said he deeply regretted his conduct at the judicial conference.
"I used language that was inappropriate and I take full responsibility," he said.
"Although the incident occurred at an evening social function with colleagues, I recognize that this does not excuse my behavior."
Bennett and his attorney did not respond to follow up questions from the Statesman Journal.
Gov.
Kate Brown appointed Bennett to the Marion County Circuit Court bench in 2016.
He has previously worked for the court in a full-time pro tempore position since 2013.
Before working for the court, Bennett worked as a civil litigator in Salem and had a previous career as a chef.
Bennett has had a license with the Oregon State Bar since 2002 and has no disciplinary history.
Whitney Woodworth is the Statesman Journal's watchdog reporter for city hall and covers economic development.
Send comments, questions and tips to her at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com or follow at @whitneywoodworth.bsky.social
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