The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission this week suspended Habersham County Probate Judge Pam Wooley for four months after determining she falsified a training report.
According to the commission report, Wooley signed off on a document claiming she had completed a mandated mentoring program required of all Probate Judges in Georgia. Records from the Institute for Continuing Judicial Education and Wooley’s own admission led the commission to determine those claims were false.
Wooley told commissioners that “health issues in her immediate and extended family” and the resulting stress were partially to blame for the situation. In determining punishment, the JQC took that in to account along with her 27 years of service to Habersham County and her admission of guilt. Commissioners say they also considered the fact that voters twice elected Wooley to the post.
In addition to the four month suspension without pay, a public reprimand from the JQC is also forthcoming and Wooley will have to complete the required training.
Wooley has actually been on leave from her office since January 22nd. In her absence to date, Habersham County State Court Judge Steve Campbell was appointed to handle probate duties. It is unclear at this time if that arrangement will continue.
Wooley, on the advice of her attorney, is not speaking to the media.
