Ala. judge who loves Ten Commandments may have broken a few

Church & State, Jul/Aug 1999

An Alabama judge who became a hero to the Religious Right by posting the Ten Commandments in his courtroom may have broken a few of them himself.

Members of the Alabama Ethics Commission voted 5-0 in June to refer the case of Etowah County Circuit Judge Roy Moore to the attorney general's office for further investigation and possible criminal prosecution.

Commission members said they believe Moore received personal gain from a legal defense fund his supporters created during a legal challenge to Moore's courtroom display of the Ten Commandments. The case reached the Alabama Supreme Court, where it was dismissed on technical grounds.

As the case worked its way through the courts, Moore frequently appeared at Religious Right rallies and press conferences in Alabama and in Washington. Ethics Commission Director Jim Sumner told reporters that he believes Moore spent the money on things other than his legal expenses and used the "mantle of this office" to seek donations.

Moore's attorney conceded that the fund has raised more than $100,000 but insisted that the money was properly spent, arguing that it has not covered all of Moore's legal expenses. Members of the commission countered that they have repeatedly warned public officials in Alabama not to raise money for legal defense funds because it might compromise their objectivity.

Moore called the vote against him "a travesty" and a form of "harassment." He added, "It's an attempt to stop the message about God. It's no great surprise."

If convicted, Moore could face a fine of $10,000 or 20 years in prison. But observers in Alabama think that's unlikely. They note that Attorney General Bill Pryor is a Religious Right ally who has lauded Moore's actions.