MO HR333

Judge Russell E. Steele, a circuit judge in Missouri's Second Judicial Circuit since 1997, is impeached for misconduct, willful neglect of duty, corruption in office, incompetency, and oppression in office under Article VII, Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution.

Judge Steele is accused of perjury by lying under oath to Federal Judge E. Richard Webber in Heartland Christian Academy Community Church v. Waddle, and tampering with a witness by threatening a Missouri Bar member with a bar complaint regarding a grand jury investigation.

Judge Steele allegedly violated judicial ethics rules by entering an order favoring his former law partner Paul Rick Jackson despite a conflict of interest, and by appointing his former law partner's firm and political contributors to county-paid positions in his juvenile court.

Additional violations include maintaining a romantic relationship with his assistant Tonya Lutz, serving as attorney for his mother in a real estate deed matter, making improper ex parte communications with judges, and allowing public comments about pending cases involving Heartland Christian Academy.

The House of Representatives orders Judge Steele to stand trial before the Missouri Supreme Court and directs the Chief Clerk to prepare copies of the resolution for Judge Steele and the Chief Justice.