The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline can go forward with its hearing for Washoe County Family Court Judge Charles Weller, accused of making a sexual comment that a woman’s place was the kitchen and bedroom.
The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the petition by Weller to stop the upcoming hearing. Among other things, he argued his comment was protected by the First Amendment as free speech since it was on a public issue and there was a misunderstanding about the context in which the statement was made.
During February 2017 meeting of the Washoe County Domestic Violence Task Force that Weller chaired, there was a discussion about the possible loss of federal funds. Weller made the statement and he maintains it referred to the anti-woman feeling of federal officials in Washington, D.C.
After an investigation, the disciplinary commission in January this year filed a complaint Weller had violated the judicial code of conduct by his comment and his subsequent behavior in trying to back away from the remark.
Weller in his appeal to the Supreme Court said those comments don’t reflect his views on women.
The court said however it wasn’t in a position to rule on the petition, but Weller could appeal if disciplinary action was taken by the judicial commission.
The hearing is set for Aug. 30-31 in Reno.
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