After Meek Mill received an unjust sentencing for violating his probation, even against the recommendation of his probation officers, Meek Mill's lawyers and supporters have been rallying to get him out. It's been a tough battle and earlier this week, he was denied bail. Now, two major social justice organizations are putting their efforts on the forefront to get the judge in Meek Mill's case, Genece Brinkley, to undergo an ethics investigation.
#Cut50 and Color Of Change are rallying for an ethics investigation for Genece Brinkley, the judge behind Meek Mill's sentencing. On #Cut50's website they say that after a review of her "Statement of Financial Interests" forms that were filed with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2007 up until last year showcased 44 different instances of the judge not disclosing her rental income nor her ownership interest in various for-profit businesses., In addition to that, he also didn't disclose her status as an officer for one of those businesses. Judges in the state are demanded to fill these forms out annually as well as for their spouses as well. Aside from the rental property, they are required to disclose aspects of property assets, gifts, debts, the source of income and corporate affiliations.
Judge Genece Brinkley has made herself a notorious judge within Philly and is noted as having one of the highest rates of jailing people for probation violation. Jessica Jackson, who is the National Director of #Cut50 as well as the Mayor of Mill Valley, CA expressed how alarming it is that a judge like Genece Brinkley makes decisions for the community.
"It’s shocking and concerning to me that this judge, with her history of inappropriate and unethical conduct, continues to be in a position to make critical decisions," she said, "If an official or a judge cannot be trusted to be transparent and ethical, how can we possibly trust them with power over people's lives? We must hold our judges to the highest ethical standard to preserve trust and confidence in our criminal justice system."