Judge charged with misconduct

A local judge who pleaded guilty to a felony charge last month is now facing judicial misconduct charges.

Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications on Wednesday charged Dunkirk City Court Judge Tommy D. “Chip” Phillips with judicial misconduct, noting the violation of two Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct rules.

Phillips, who also teaches at West Jay Middle School, pleaded guilty last month in Jay Superior Court to one charge of battery against a public safety official, a Level 6 felony. The charge stemmed from an Aug. 16 incident during which Phillips shoved Dunkirk Police Chief Dane Mumbower, his nephew.

In an Indiana Supreme Court filing Wednesday, the commission charged that Phillips violated code of conduct rules that require a judge to “respect and comply with the law” and “avoid impropriety and to act at all times in a matter that promotes public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary.” It requested the supreme court appoint a three-person panel to conduct a public hearing and take the appropriate action.

Phillips has been suspended from the bench since the incident since Sept. 30. He has served as Dunkirk’s city court judge since Oct. 3, 2000.

Jay Superior Court Judge Max Ludy sentenced Phillips to one year, all suspended, in Jay County Jail and placed him on probation for one year. The sentence also includes 100 hours of community service, $265 in probation fees and $183 in court costs.

Phillips, who said during his March 18 change of plea hearing that he is dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, is also required to receive counseling.

Ludy also ordered that the charge be entered as a Class A misdemeanor.