Federal Judge Indicted On Three Counts Of Sexual Abuse

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - A Texas federal judge was indicted Thursday on three counts of sexual abuse against a deputy court clerk.

The indictment announced by Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Friedrich charges U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Kent with one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact against an employee identified only as "Person A." The vicitim is a woman named Cathy McBroom, according to reports.

Kent, 59, allegedly put his hand under McBroom's clothes in March 2007 and again in August 2003. The incidents all occurred at the courthouse in Galveston, Texas, the indictment says.

McBroom, who worked for Kent for six years, told the Houston Chronicle, ""After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent's lawyer suggested that what happened to me was 'enthusiastically consensual.' "

Kent's lawyer, Dick DeGuerin, had said in response to the charges, "The first time she ever complained was when she was about to be fired. Then she successfully avoided getting fired by making this [sic] outrageous claims that are not true," according to ABC.

McBroom filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Kent in 2007. The complaint resulted in a written reprimand for sexual harassment and "inappropriate behavior" from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.