District Judge will take senior status despite allegations of racist remarks

Montana’s chief U.S. district judge, Richard Cebull of Billings, will assume senior status in March 2013.  His position will entail him travelling around and hearing cases in other districts though he will have a smaller workload than active status judges. His promotion comes as a bit of surprise.

Cebull is currently under investigation from a special committee of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for a racist email about President Barack Obama that he admitted to sending from his work computer to friends. Cebull issued a public apology and asked for a review of his actions, however his scrutiny is not restricted to this arena. Complaints have also been filed against him by the Montana Human Rights Network and Common Cause.