Thicker Than Water

We had previously reported on ethics charges filed against a Tennessee judge alleged to have used his office to benefit a private probation service run by his brother-in-law. The charges have resulted in a settlement order by which the judge agrees to stop without admitting liability:  "[the parties] agree to forego any allegations in the formal complaint. Disciplinary Counsel's agreement is not based on the allegations against them by Judge Bell but in an effort to resolve these issues in an economic and efficient manner." (Mike Frisch)