A family court judge in Kentucky has been suspended with pay following accusations of misconduct, which include a sensational allegation of a “family threesome” incident occurring within the courthouse.
Dawn Gentry, who presides as a family court judge in Kenton County, within Kentucky’s 16th Judicial District, was formally charged with multiple counts of misconduct in November by the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Committee. This week marked her placement on paid suspension, a measure taken pending the final decision regarding her case.
The charges against Gentry are serious and multifaceted. She is accused of pressuring her court staff to dedicate time to her judicial election campaign, a move seen as an abuse of power. Further allegations include retaliating against court employees who did not offer their support to her campaign efforts. Adding to these charges is the accusation that Judge Gentry hired an individual with whom she was allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship, creating a potentially inappropriate dynamic within the court environment. Judge Gentry has denied all of these accusations leveled against her.
According to the conduct committee documents outlining the charges, the judge, elected in November 2018, is alleged to have hired a former pastor, described as her lover. This individual was reportedly permitted to play guitar and sing in the office, actions that “disrupted other court employees during the workday.” Court documents indicate that Judge Gentry’s attorney stated she was unaware that this behavior was causing a distraction to her staff.
Perhaps the most sensational of the allegations is the claim that Gentry, her male lover, and a female court employee engaged in sexual activity within the confines of the courthouse. Judge Gentry has also denied this allegation, as per court documents. The “family threesome” allegation, though denied, has become a central point of public interest in this case.
Beyond the “family threesome” accusation and campaign-related misconduct, Judge Gentry faces a range of other serious allegations. These include accusations that she frequently brought her children to her workplace and, concerningly, allowed them to witness confidential court proceedings. The conduct committee alleges that on one occasion, Gentry’s child recognized another child involved in a confidential case, raising serious questions about breaches of confidentiality and ethical conduct.
Further accusations against Judge Gentry include the approval of false or inaccurate time sheets, suggesting potential financial misconduct. She is also accused of permitting staff to store and consume alcoholic beverages in court offices and to consume alcohol within the courthouse itself, actions that could compromise the professional environment of the judicial setting. While Gentry denies falsifying time sheets, her lawyer stated in a court response that she was unaware of her staff’s alleged drinking habits within the courthouse.
Stephen Ryan, Judge Gentry’s attorney, spoke in an interview on Wednesday, emphasizing witness testimonies during court proceedings that attested to Gentry’s competence as a judge. Ryan argued that these testimonies demonstrate her fitness to remain in her judicial role.
“They said she was fair and listened to the arguments and wrote good legal opinions,” Ryan stated. He highlighted that Judge Gentry’s typical caseload involved sensitive family matters such as divorces, child neglect and abuse cases, and truancy issues, underscoring the importance of integrity in her position.
Ryan anticipates that the suspension will last for approximately one to two months and expects a hearing to be scheduled in the near future to further address the allegations against Judge Gentry and determine her future on the bench. The unfolding case continues to attract significant attention due to the nature of the allegations, particularly the salacious “family threesome” claim within the courthouse setting.
