Judge surfed for porn on courthouse computer, says Ill. board
(CBS) CHICAGO - A state board alleges a Chicago area judge repeatedly surfed the internet looking for pornography before and after hearing divorce cases.
The Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board filed a complaint against Will County Judge Joseph C. Polito claiming he "frequently" used his courthouse computer to access porn, violating the Code of Judicial Conduct and bringing disrepute to his office.
Disciplinary action could be termination. The 69-year-old judge will first get a hearing and an opportunity to defend himself.
The Chicago Sun-Times fought for the release of computer log-in records which show attempts to visit websites the county software is intended to block. Polito has been transferred from divorce court to a courtroom that hears building code and mental health cases.
The paper found the judge's log-in was used 243 times in six months to attempt to access various porn websites.
Polito reportedly voluntarily sought treatment for his alleged behavior.