Staff Describes Accused Judge as Bully, Intimidating

Years before five Warren County Court employees accused Judge Dallas Powers of sexual harassment, his behavior disturbed people - but many felt too intimidated to complain.

While some say Powers behaved professionally with them, others describe a judge who may have overstepped his bounds. At times, they say, Powers butted heads with other public officials, belittled employees, chastised jurors, berated crime victims and took unusual steps on behalf of certain criminal defendants.

"His demeanor and his attitude and everything leads people to be afraid of him," said Bob Marquardt, 66, who was Powers' bailiff for about six years before he was fired abruptly in 2001.

Simmering tensions became public a month ago, after a court employee said she felt sexually harassed by the judge's comments and conduct. Four more female employees lodged similar complaints, most tied to the 70-year-old married judge's alleged affair with a 34-year-old subordinate.

Details here from the Cincinnati Enquirer.