Lawyer: Panel could indict staffer who played Chicago judge
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Rhonda Crawford,left, a court staff attorney fired after donning a robe and hearing real cases on the bench, listens to her lawyer Victor Henderson at a news conference in Chicago on Thursday, Sept.22, 2016. Crawford says she regrets overseeing several traffic cases. But she says the actual judge, Valarie E. Turner, stood over her the whole time and issued all rulings. Crawford was fired over the incident and Turner was removed from the bench indefinitely. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune via AP) (The Associated Press)
A lawyer for a former Chicago court staff attorney fired after donning a robe and hearing real cases on the bench says a grand jury could indict her soon.
Rhonda Crawford's lawyer, Victor Henderson, told reporters Thursday an impaneled grand jury could indict her before November's election. Crawford is running for a judgeship.
Crawford says she regrets overseeing several traffic cases. But she says the actual judge, Valarie E. Turner, stood over her the whole time and issued all rulings. Crawford was fired over the incident and Turner was removed from the bench indefinitely.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Henderson wouldn't say what charges Crawford potentially faces. He says her actions were, at worst, "a minor infraction."
State prosecutors have said they're investigating. But a spokesman Thursday declined comment regarding any grand jury.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com