District Judge Donald Thompson violated the code of judicial conduct "by his repeated use of a device known as a penis pump during non-jury and jury trials in his courtroom and in the presence of court employees while serving in his capacity as a district judge," Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson wrote in a petition filed Wednesday with the Court of the Judiciary.
The sound of Thompson using the pump was heard by a number of witnesses, who said that the noise sounded "like air being pumped or released" from a blood pressure cuff.
Thompson, 57, hasn't been available for comment but his attorney, Clark Brewster, said Thursday that Thompson is "horrified" by the accusations.
"The whole genesis for the allegations involves a well-known courthouse joke," Brewster said. "About the time he turned 50, he was given a gag gift by a hunting buddy, a penis pump, in poor taste. It sat in the courthouse the past several years and was in various places."
Many of the lawyers and court personnel were aware of the pump, which became the butt of jokes, he said.
"The individuals that we believe are behind this attempt to embarrass the judge took that opportunity to blow it into a much more sinister set of allegations."
The petition also alleged that Thompson masturbated in view of his female court reporter during a number of court proceedings.
The judge admitted the penis pump was under the bench during a murder trial on Aug. 22 and at other times but denied using the device, Edmondson's petition states.
"A couple of police officers upset with rulings he made tried to make it something it was not," he said. "He's not going to tolerate these falsehoods."
Sapulpa police officers wouldn't comment on Brewster's statement Thursday. The officers, the police chief and court personnel are listed as witnesses who were present at a criminal trial in Thompson's court.
The attorney general said Thompson violated the code of judicial ethics that requires high standards of conduct, among other things. He also committed an offense involving moral turpitude, Edmondson alleges.
Lisa Foster, a court reporter for Thompson for 15 years, told investigators she witnessed the judge's sexual behavior "15 to 20 times."
She was fired after the judge heard she had cooperated with an investigation into his activities, Edmondson said.
Also fired was Zelma Hindman, the judge's secretary, who talked to investigators, Edmondson said.
"On one occasion, Thompson sent Hindman to run an errand and when she returned to the courtroom, she saw that Thompson had the pump in his lap," the complaint said. "He jumped when he saw her. Hindman thought she saw his penis."
