Judge reported to the responsible committee: "Has acted recklessly"

It was in the spring that the judge and the previously employed lawyer met three girls aged 17-18 out at the pub in Karlstad.

The evening ended with the men taking the girls to the district court where there was initially information that there had been a purchase of sex.

"Judgmentless"

The incident was reported to the police, but the preliminary investigation was closed in November for lack of evidence that something criminal had happened.

In his report, Lars Holmgård writes that there were conversations about sexual acts between the judge and the girls, but that the judge did not commit any crime.

But:

"On the other hand, he has acted recklessly.

He has not acted in his employment.

This has happened in her spare time, but it is connected to the employment in that the district court's premises have been used and the women in these premises have been allowed to move relatively freely.

It is also connected to the employment in that one of the women has previously been a plaintiff in a case of attempted purchase of sexual acts by children where xx has been a judge. "

Slander and extortion

Holmgård believes that after the events during the night in question, the judge has been, or risked being, subjected to slander and perhaps also extortion, but has not said anything about it to his employer.

- I have chosen to make a report, it has not been an easy decision, says Lars Holmgård.

Not relevant with dismissal

If the judge is to receive any disciplinary sanction, Holmgård considers it difficult to assess, but his actions are not sufficient for dismissal.

- No, it is not at that level at all.

It could be a warning or a deduction on salary, I could imagine, but it is the responsibility of the responsible committee to assess.

Back in service

The judge has for some time been on sick leave and had a leave of absence from his position at the district court.

He is expected to be on duty again on weekdays at a distance and then return after the weekends.

- I have full confidence in him as a judge, but I want to return to the question of in which cases he can be judged.

Can he convict in sexual crime cases, for example?

- It may be a certain waiting period to judge in certain cases at first.

But it is not on the map for me that he would judge incorrectly, says Lars Holmgård.