Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Terri Sewell issued the following statement after a judge dismissed a misdemeanor battery charge against U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller. Judge Fuller was arrested last August after attacking his wife in an Atlanta hotel room.

“I am deeply disturbed that the charges against Judge Mark Fuller have been dismissed. There should never have been an agreement to expunge his record, nor should he be allowed to remain on the federal bench.

“Our society is sending the wrong message about domestic violence to perpetrators by allowing a federal judge – who has sworn to uphold the values we hold dear – to continue to serve in any capacity. His punishment must reflect the seriousness of the crime, and any recommendations to the 11th Circuit Judicial Council that fall short of impeachment are inexcusable. 

“I am again calling on the House Judiciary Committee to initiate impeachment proceedings should the Judicial Council decline to make such a recommendation. Judge Fuller must be immediately removed from the bench. He has irrevocably violated the sacred trust placed in him, and Congress must send a strong message that his actions are beneath the seat he holds.”

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