MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Federal District Judge Mark fuller, who was accused of domestic abuse last fall, delivered his resignation letter to President Obama Friday, effective August 1st.
A report by Atlanta-based legal blog The Daily Report surfaced shortly thereafter indicating that Fuller’s resignation may have been an effort to avoid impeachment from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Perhaps best known for presiding over former Alabama Democratic Governor Don Siegelman’s corruption trial, Fuller, whose George W. Bush appointment was supported by Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL), had very few allies in either party after the domestic violence allegations surfaced.
Alabama’s lone Democratic congressional representative, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL7), said Fuller had “violated the public trust,” but his resignation was not justice.
“News of Judge Fuller’s impending resignation is a welcome outcome to a very painful breach of the public trust,” Sewell said in a press release Friday. “His resignation will be the culmination of a drawn out process that was woefully unnecessary. The public trust was violated the moment his wife phoned the police.
“Justice was not served. We sent the wrong message to victims of domestic violence by allowing a federal judge to collect a paycheck — without managing a caseload — and ultimately having his record expunged.
“Fuller failed to uphold our most fundamental values. Perhaps the only consolation is that he has chosen to spare his family and our nation of the expense of a drawn out impeachment process.”
Last fall, Alabama’s other female representative, Congresswoman Martha Roby (R-AL2) spoke out on the issue of domestic violence, saying that tolerating abuse indirectly condones the crime and inhibits victims’ willingness to seek help.
“As a society, we cannot tolerate domestic violence. When abusers are not held accountable, it serves to indirectly condone the crime and has a chilling effect on victims,” said Roby.
“Almost one in every three women has experienced physical violence at the hands of their partner, according to The Centers for Disease Control. The same report concluded that domestic violence is a ‘public health burden’ in America today.
“Domestic abuse cannot be tolerated, explained away or swept under the rug,” Roby explained. “It must be confronted head on, and abusers must be held accountable. Our sons and daughters are paying attention, and how our society handles this moment matters a great deal.”
Alabama’s two Republican U.S. Senators came right behind Roby and immediately called for Fuller to resign.
“The American people’s trust in our judicial system depends on the character and integrity of those who have the distinct honor of sitting on the bench,” said Sen. Richard Shelby. “I believe that Judge Mark Fuller has lost the confidence of his colleagues and the people of the state of Alabama. I urge him to resign immediately.”
“Judge Fuller’s unacceptable personal conduct violates the trust that has been placed in him,” Sen. Jeff Sessions added. “He can no longer effectively serve in his position and should step down.”
Fuller’s 12-year stint on the federal bench will end on August 1.
