Yellowstone County judge suspended without pay for one month

A Yellowstone County judge whose misconduct case sparked public input from hundreds of Montanans is being suspended without pay for 30 days.

District Judge Ashley Harada’s month away from the office will begin May 1, according to the order from the Montana Supreme Court.

In the order, signed by six of the seven justices, Chief Justice Mike McGrath said the misconduct was a serious violation of the public trust.

"They manifest a flagrant disregard and threat to the rule of law and public confidence in the independence, impartiality, and integrity of our judicial system,” the order said.

Read more: https://billingsgazette.com/news/yellowstone-county-judge-suspended-without-pay-for-one-month/article_2c04d8cd-b524-5730-8d77-5a63518df59b.html

And of course, Harada is a Republican.

Details about the misconduct are at https://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/crime-and-courts/yellowstone-county-judge-admits-all-counts-in-misconduct-complaint/article_a077e5af-76b9-5c56-874f-ccfb53567bcb.html