Judicial Conference certifies to House bankruptcy fraud basis for ju...

In a previous post (here) we commented that the Judicial Conference of the United States had certified to the House of Representatives that impeachment proceedings may be warranted against U.S. District Judge G. Thomas Porteus (E.D. La.) and the House Judiciary Committee has formed a task force to investigate the matter.  While no new developments have come to light, the certification documents do shed light on the nature of the allegations against Judge Porteus - and they include several bankruptcy criminal charges.

According to the certification document (available here), the Judicial Conference's determination is based upon "substantial evidence" that Judge Porteus (1) repeatedly signed false financial reporting forms under oath concealing cash and other gratuities solicited and received from lawyers who appeared in proceedings before him; (2) made false representations to gain extension of a bank loan; and (3) "repeatedly committed perjury" by signing false statements under oath in a personal bankruptcy proceeding enabling him to discharge his debts.

The certification does not otherwise elaborate on the bankruptcy criminal allegations.  House Judiciary Committee Chariman John Conyers, Jr. announced here that the Committee has retained Alan I. Barron as Special Counsel to lead the investigation.  The task force conducting the investigation is being lead by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as Chairman and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) as its Ranking Member.