Federal judge recuses herself from Georgia election case

The Justice Department sought Ross’ recusal days before a hearing in the case, saying her reported appearance at an election event for Willis creates “the appearance of bias.”

It came after an investigation started in 2025 by the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals found a federal judge had sex in her chambers with a high-ranking police officer during work hours and within an earshot of the judge’s staff, attended a partisan event and then initially lied when confronted about the accusations.

The judge, later identified in news reports as Ross, received a private reprimand from the 11th Circuit after the investigation confirmed the allegations against her. The reprimand did not identify her by name.

The Justice Department has faced a string of defeats in its efforts to obtain detailed voter registration information from states. Out of 30 lawsuits, federal judges have dismissed eight cases. Another case in Georgia was tossed out in January because it was filed in the wrong city. The Justice Department later filed in the proper court.

Ross had previously worked in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. Ross’ time there overlapped with Willis before she became district attorney.

“Out of an abundance of caution for the potential perception of bias, the undersigned will disqualify herself from further proceedings in this case,” Ross wrote.