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Ex-Hamilton County magistrate facing judicial misconduct charges

William Paul Greenaway fired in March 2019 after arrest
Posted at 2:45 PM, Oct 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-09 14:45:57-04

HAMILTON CO. — A state panel has formally disciplined a former Hamilton County magistrate who bought drugs from an undercover informant and swallowed a bag in an attempt to hide evidence.

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed disciplinary charges Friday against former Hamilton Superior Court Magistrate William Paul Greenaway.

The Commission alleges two counts of misconduct related to 2019 criminal activity, including a conviction for methamphetamine possession and resisting law enforcement.

The seven-member commission investigates allegations of ethical misconduct by judges.

At the time of his arrest, Greenaway was employed as an appointed magistrate of Hamilton Superior Court.

The judges of the Hamilton County courts terminated Greenaway in March 2019 due to the arrest.

The Supreme Court has final authority to determine what, if any, judicial misconduct occurred and can dismiss the charges, accept or reject a disciplinary agreement between the Commission and Greenaway.

The Supreme Court can also appoint a panel of judges to conduct a public hearing, impose a fine, or impose sanctions ranging from a reprimand to a suspension to a permanent ban on holding judicial office in Indiana.

WRTV reported in March 2019 that the Indiana Supreme Court suspended Greenaway.

The Indiana Commission on Judicial Qualifications filed disciplinary charges following Greenaway’s sentencing on September 24, in which he received a year probation.

Greenaway has 20 days to answer the misconduct charges.