AR Circuit Judge’s Involvement in Nonprofit Alleged to Create Conflict of Interest

The Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission announced Thursday it will conduct a hearing on allegations that Pulaski County Circuit Judge Willard Proctor Jr. operated a nonprofit corporation in a way that created a conflict of interest and that he had improper contact with defendants in his court.

The Commission unsealed an Oct. 28 statement of formal charges against Proctor alleging that Proctor’s operation of the nonprofit Cycle Breakers Inc., a program for probationers, created a “constant conflict of interest.”

According to the Commission, Cycle Breakers Inc. is supported by fees and fines paid by probationers in Proctor’s court, and Proctor can order probationers to jail for failing to pay. The nonprofit collects more than $100,000 annually from probation fees ordered by Proctor.

The commission also alleged that Judge Procter forced staff members to work for Cycle Breakers.

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