Accused Ersland Judge In Bankruptcy Court Twice

By Nolan Clay/The Oklahoman ~ A judge accused of misconduct has ended up bankrupt twice, the latest time reporting she and her husband owe more than $1 million.

Oklahoma County District Judge Tammy Bass-LeSure and her husband filed for bankruptcy in June 2009. They acted after banks foreclosed on six modest Oklahoma County houses they owned (not including the $456,000 northeast Oklahoma City home in which they live). The 2009 bankruptcy case is pending.

Bass-LeSure has not been charged with any crime over the misconduct accusation. However, sources say prosecutors told her last week they will file a judicial complaint. That is the first step in a process that could lead to her removal from office.

They initially reported in the bankruptcy case that they had assets of $1.14 million but liabilities of $1.22 million. They later reported their liabilities actually were $1.03 million.

Bass-LeSure stepped down a week ago from a high-profile murder case involving pharmacist Jerome Jay Ersland after prosecutors said she couldn't be fair.

Prosecutors complained because the judge in July gave the names of three attorneys to a personal trainer at a meeting in an Edmond gym, even though he had a pending drug case assigned to her. The trainer also already had an attorney. One of the attorneys listed by the judge represents Ersland.

District Attorney David Prater on Friday called the judge's action immoral and corrupt. He confirmed Monday prosecutors are "following up on information related to other activities by the judge that have come to light" in the past week.

Read more: http://www.newsok.com/accused-oklahoma-county-judge-has-financial-woes/article/3492548?custom_click=lead_story_title#ixzz0ypmzUsNG.

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