(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Dr. Patrick Jackson, the husband of leftist Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, has been nominated to the influential D.C. Judicial Disabilities and Tenure Commission, a revelation made public by attorney Mark Paoletta on Monday.
This nomination, however, has not come without its fair share of controversy, as allegations have surfaced that Dr. Jackson failed to disclose payments for his appearances as an expert witness before the court, opening concerns about conflicts of interest.
1/NEW: Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s husband, Dr. Patrick Jackson, has been nominated to DC Judicial Disabilities and Tenure Commission, w/ power to suspend, retire or remove judges in DC Court system & provide oversight of judges whose opinions may come before his spouse. pic.twitter.com/6Yu6fO1sn2
— Mark Paoletta (@MarkPaoletta) November 13, 2023
Paoletta raised concerns about the potential implications of Dr. Jackson’s appointment, noting that he could soon possess the authority to “retire or remove judges” within the D.C. court system.
This role would also involve oversight of judges whose opinions may find their way to the Supreme Court, where Justice Brown Jackson holds a life appointment.
Perhaps the most startling aspect of the controversy revolves around Dr. Jackson’s alleged conflicts of interest.
Paoletta, in a Twitter thread, pointed out, “Dr. Jackson has provided expert testimony for clients in litigation, perhaps in DC Court system, but he failed to mention this work in hearing with DC Council when asked if he would have any conflict of interest. He only disclosed he was a Dr. at Georgetown Univ. Hospital.”
Financial disclosure forms submitted by Justice Jackson indicate that her husband received payment for “expert witness fees.”
4/But nowhere on Dr. Jackson’s 15-page CV he submitted to @ChmnMendelson does he mention he’s been paid to provide expert witness testimony or consulting on malpractice cases. Why didn’t he disclose esp. regarding Q on potential conflicts of interest?https://t.co/4Xyt2DxOee
— Mark Paoletta (@MarkPaoletta) November 13, 2023
Paoletta highlighted a previous disclosure in 2022 where Dr. Jackson reported fees for “consulting on medical malpractice cases” but failed to specify the years involved, as reportedly required by law.
Documents submitted to Phil Mendelson, the chairman of the D.C. Council who appointed Dr. Jackson, reportedly lack information regarding his payments for expert witness testimony.
During an appointment hearing on Nov. 1, Dr. Jackson asserted that there was no conflict of interest in his appointment, stating, “I can’t think of a conflict I would have in this process. Not being a lawyer I would never have a firm that would be represented in front of a judge that was being discussed in front of the commission.”
6/ But it’s easy to imagine that he could provide expert witness testimony or consult on a medical malpractice case for a law firm/company (that pays him) and that firm is in fact before a judge who may be (or will be) in front of the commission he sits on.
— Mark Paoletta (@MarkPaoletta) November 13, 2023
