The wife of new state appellate court Judge Brian Rickman has resigned her seat on the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission. According to the Daily Report, Maggie Rickman resigned Tuesday, the same day her husband was sworn in as an appellate court judge. The online publication reports Rickman resigned to avoid any “appearance of a conflict or impropriety” as she helped her husband campaign to keep his seat in 2018.
Maggie Rickman is succeeded by former JQC chief investigator Richard Hyde.
Gov. Nathan Deal swore in Brian Rickman, Amanda Mercier and Nels Petersen Tuesday morning to fill three newly created positions on the Georgia Court of Appeals. Also on Tuesday, the Daily Report says Hyde submitted his resignation as chief investigator and Deal issued an executive order appointing him to the JQC.
This will be Hyde’s second stint as a commissioner on the panel. His term ends Dec. 21, 2016.
RELATED: Rickman Sworn in to Georgia Court of Appeals
Maggie Rickman, an elementary school teacher and certified peace and probation officer, was appointed to the JQC by Gov. Deal in February.
Pictured: Maggie Rickman looks on as her husband is sworn-in as an appellate court judge on December 29, 2015 (PHOTO: Gov. Deal’s Office)
Updated 12/31/15
