First of all, I want to thank you all for being here.

As I stand here before

you all today, after having endured three months of untrue and
unwarranted attacks upon my character and my integrity, even by people
that I considered friends, it is very difficult to put into words how that
feels. I feel a wide range of emotions. I am angry, hurt, disappointed,
but also hopeful, grateful to the people who stood beside me, and
encouraged that with the release of this report today, the full truth will
finally be available to the public.
Investigating this matter and drafting this report was one of the most
difficult challenges I have faced in my legal career. Serving as the Chief
Judge of the Recorders Court of Chatham County is a great honor, but it
also carries great responsibility. But its a responsibility that I take very
seriously. I love the court. I love the law. And as part of my duty and
obligation as Chief Judge, I recognize the importance of being fair,
balanced, forthcoming and honest. And I have diligently strived to live
up to each of those ideals as I compiled this report.
These last three months have been a difficult time. But encouragement
and strength have come from unexpected people and unexpected places.
I have received calls and messages from people from all over the state
offering support, and quite a few expressing outrage at the unfairness
and injustice that has been perpetrated in this matter.

Many of you here today have also been extremely supportive, and I
cannot express how much that has meant to me. I do have one request,
however, for each and every person within the sound of my voice. Read
the report. Read it carefully. Make your own decisions based upon the
evidence presented. Unlike the City report, I tried very hard not to rely
on personal interviews, knowing from a legal and judicial perspective
that unsubstantiated verbal reports are notoriously unreliable. Instead, I
tried to review actual physical evidence such as emails, letters, written
complaints, videos, and other documents. My goal was to remove any
personal biases, and rely completely and totally on the facts and the facts
only. It is my hope that I provided each of you with the information
necessary to obtain a full and complete understanding of the Court, the
individuals involved, and both the successes we have achieved and the
challenges we still have to face moving forward.
As Chief Judge and leader of the Court, it is my job to identify, address
and correct problems. I take this responsibility seriously. I want my
words to be heard by every member of the public and every member of
our Recorders Court family: if you have a problem, come to me. We
will work together to fix it.
Finally, I do have one message for every person that has
mischaracterized, attacked and impugned the strength of our Court and
the integrity of our staff. Your efforts will fail. Recorders Court has
never been stronger. My staff and I will continue to pour our heart and
soul into Recorders Court, but secret meetings, one-sided accusations
and clandestine maneuverings must end immediately. Such behavior
cannot and will not stand. Thank you.