Commission backs KC judge in residency case

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A judicial commission has decided that a Kansas City municipal judge should not be removed from the bench after complaints about her residency and work hours.

Municipal Judge Elena Franco was suspended without pay in August after the city received complaints that she violated the city charter by living at a home with her husband outside of the city limits. They said she barely spent time at a home she owned inside the city. Franco had also been accused of not working 40 hours a week.

The Municipal Judicial Nominating Commission on Tuesday said no credible evidence existed to support the allegations. It asked the city to reinstate Franco and to reinstate her lost pay and benefits.

Commissioners also strongly criticized the city for spending $72,000 on its investigation.


Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com