Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell (AL-07) sent a letter urging House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers to commence an investigation into whether Congress should impeach U.S. District Court Judge Mark Everett Fuller. On August 9, 2014, Judge Fuller was arrested in Atlanta, Georgia on charges of misdemeanor battery, after attacking his wife in an Atlanta hotel room. On September 10, Congresswoman Sewell called for the resignation of Judge Fuller and on September 16, she released a statement expounding upon her initial call for his resignation.  Congresswoman Sewell was subsequently joined by Alabama Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions and nearly all other members of the Alabama Congressional delegation in calling for Judge Fuller’s resignation.

“Today, I am urging the House Judiciary Committee to commence an investigation into whether Congress should impeach Federal Judge Mark Fuller. In my opinion, Judge Fuller’s recent arrest and subsequent plea to domestic violence is an indefensible violation of the public trust. The integrity of the federal court has already been severely compromised and I no longer have confidence in Judge Fuller’s ability to sit in the judgment of others.

While I believe the findings and recommendations of the Judicial Council of the 11^th Circuit are an important part of due process, we in Congress have our own obligations to the American people. Only Congress can remove a sitting Federal Judge.  Now that Congress is back in session, I am urging the House Judiciary Committee to waste no time in conducting its own investigation into impeaching Judge Mark Fuller. This a necessary first step in beginning impeachment proceedings. During the waning days of the 113^th Congress, the House Judiciary Committee can lay the groundwork for impeachment by evaluating the facts of Judge Fuller’s behavior that led to his arrest for domestic violence.

We must not and cannot tolerate domestic violence in any form whether committed by an NFL player or a federal judge. No one should get a pass. If a football player can lose his job, surely a federal judge should not be allowed to keep his job. The fact that Judge Fuller has not resigned is the height of arrogance and suggests he believes his actions are above reproach. Judge Fuller is sadly mistaken because his personal conduct has already irreparably damaged his integrity and led to a loss of confidence in his ability to effectively serve as a federal judge.  I will continue to call for the resignation of Judge Fuller and urge my colleagues in Congress to support impeachment if he does not resign.”  

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A copy of Congresswoman Sewell’s letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member John Conyers can be viewed here.