"Wanna Screw A Fat Old Judge?"

(Libby, Montana) A local judge, Gary D. Hicks, is appearing before the Montana Judicial Standards Commission this week to respond to allegations that he harassed women in his courtroom and offered leniency in return for sexual favors.

Eleven women have filed complaints. Nine are expected to testify in the anticipated three-day hearing.

In the complaint against Hicks filed by Kalispell prosecuting attorney Stephen C. Berg, the women allege that as far back as 2005, Hicks complimented the women’s appearances when they showed up in his court on legal matters, asked them out on dates and offered to dismiss or “work with” the women on the charges against them in exchange for sexual contact.

In the case of one woman before the court on a drunken driving charge, according to the complaint, Hicks said she was “too pretty to be in trouble” and asked her if she would like to “screw a fat old judge.” After this encounter Hicks drove to the woman’s trailer park several times to see if she was available “for sexual contact,” according to the complaint.

Another woman alleged that Hicks asked to begin a relationship with her when she appeared before him in court, and he later visited her home unannounced to tell her “that his ‘offer’ was still in effect.”

No criminal charges have been filed. The Judicial Standards Commission can only recommend to the Montana Supreme Court which has final authority over judges. The commission members can recommend removal from office and, if Hicks loses his position, civil charges are possible.

The case is big news in Lincoln County. Besides the alleged outrageous behavior of Hicks, the cost of representing him has become an issue of concern. With finite resources, Lincoln County commissioners are balking at the idea of spending tens of thousands of dollars for Hicks' lawyer. The lawyer for Lincoln County claims that Hicks should pay for his legal defense since his alleged inappropriate acts were done outside the scope of his job as a judge. Unfortunately, state law requires local governments to provide legal defense for their employees.

District Judge Katherine Curtis ruled that Lincoln County must pay Hicks' legal bills. The case, however, may be appealed.

Regarding the sexual harassment case against Hicks, his attorney, Tammi Fisher, disputes all charges and has expert investigators and statisticians ready to testify to his innocence. Hicks also passed a lie detector test.