The Justice Department has requested U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia step aside from a case involving Georgia election records, citing judicial misconduct findings recently affirmed by the federal judiciary’s Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability.

The committee described Ross’s conduct as “grossly lacking in judgment.” Its order details specific violations: Ross engaged in an extramarital affair with a high-ranking law enforcement officer and had sexual intercourse in her chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff; attended a partisan political event; and made false statements to the Chief Circuit Judge and Chief District Judge that were material to an investigation.

Court documents state Ross did not disclose the affair to any other judge, court staff, or litigating party. The committee noted that while Ross had not presided over cases involving the officer or police department during the affair, this was due to “happenstance” rather than efforts to mitigate conflicts of interest.

The Justice Department’s recusal motion relies on these findings and concerns about impartiality in an election dispute context. The Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability issued its ruling on February 11, 2026.