Name: Samuel Swanberg
Title: Judge
Court: Benton County Superior Court
County: Benton
Discipline: Admonishment
Method of Resolution: Decision
Discipline Date: 09/06/2024
Canons Violated:Canon 1: Rules 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3
Summary: The Commission conducted a public hearing on allegations that Judge Samuel Swanberg, formerly of the Benton & Franklin Counties Superior Court, violated Canon 1, Rules 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3, of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The hearing panel found that Judge Swanberg engaged in physically violent and emotionally abusive behavior over decades of his marriage and that he later harassed and stalked a woman with whom he had a romantic relationship. The panel found that Judge Swanberg admitted to being dishonest; that he engaged in an ongoing pattern of manipulative conduct; and used the tools and prestige of judicial office for his personal benefit. As an aggravating factor, the Commission panel found that the judge made multiple public statements to decry and denigrate the Commission’s constitutionally-mandated proceeding; and declined to participate in the hearing process to the extent that he could. The panel imposed a Censure with a recommendation to the State Supreme Court that Judge Swanberg be disqualified from future service in judicial office. The State Supreme Court approved the Commission's decision removing Judge Swanberg from office and disqualified him from future judicial office.
Case Documents Available:
Supreme Court Order In re Honorable Samuel P. Swanberg Supreme Court No. 202219-7 filed 11/7/2024.
Commission Decision and Order filed 9/6/2024.
Second Amended Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 3/28/2024.
Notice of Fact-Finding Hearing filed 2/2/2024.
Answer to Statement of Charges filed 12/14/2023.
Statement of Charges filed 11/27/2023.