The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary has suspended Roane County General Sessions Court Judge Thomas A. Austin, who was arrested Monday on federal extortion and money laundering charges.
“This court has determined an interim suspension is appropriate,” the Court of the Judiciary said in an order filed Tuesday.
“Under the circumstances, the members of the Court of the Judiciary agreed that it was necessary to act as quickly as possible to suspend Judge Austin,” said Presiding Judge Steven Stafford, who also is chancellor for the 29th Judicial District.
The court is statutorily authorized to suspend a judge “upon the filing of an indictment, presentment or information charging a judge with a felony under the law of any state or under federal law.” Under state law, the suspension is with pay.
The 16-member Court of the Judiciary, created by the General Assembly, receives complaints against judges and is authorized by state law to impose a range of sanctions, including suspensions, or recommend removal from office when appropriate.
Austin, 57, was charged criminally in an eight-count federal indictment. He also may face additional sanctions by the Court of the Judiciary for violating the Tennessee Code of Judicial Conduct. The code is a rule of the Tennessee Supreme Court and can be found on the court system website