(Update)
BENTON, Ark. – The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission (JDDC) is petitioning the Arkansas Supreme Court to suspend Saline County Circuit Judge Bobby McCallister.
Judge McCallister turned himself in Thusrday and is charged with four felony counts of tax evasion after he admitted to not filing or paying his taxes for years.
After a Friday morning conference call with nine members of the JDDC, they decided to file a “Petition for Expedited Consideration” to temporarily suspend McCallister with pay, pending the outcome of any disciplinary determination on the merits.
The Commission found that charges against McCallister adversely affect his ability to perform the duties of his office.
(Updated story)
BENTON, Ark. – Saline County Circuit Judge Bobby McCallister turned himself in Thursday and is charged with Felony Tax Evasion.
A warranted was issued Tuesday for 52-year-old McCallister’s arrest after he admitted to not filing or paying taxes for the better part of 20 years.
He is charged with four felony counts for allegedly not filing tax returns in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Judge McCallister did not enter a plea.
Attorney David Gibbons has been appointed special prosecutor in the case, and filed the charges Tuesday.
Gibbons says an arraignment date has will be scheduled at a later time.
(Original story)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A felony warrant has been issued for a Saline County judge after he admitted to failing to pay or file fax returns for years.
According to documents released as part of the formal charges, Saline County Circuit Judge Bobby McCallister admitted he hadn’t filed taxes for most years since 1995 — although when asked about it in court, he pleaded the fifth.
The counts against Judge McCallister stem from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016, adding up to a total of four Class D Felonies.
According to the charges from the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission (JDDC), McCallister said the first year he failed to file was because he basically panicked. As for the remainder of the years, he said he didn’t have a good reason that made any sense. According to the JDDC, it appears he may have filed four tax returns in the past 22 years, despite making over $100,000 a year as a sitting circuit judge.
“What makes this possibly more egregious in this situation is it’s the very tax dollars that pay his own salary,” David J. Sachar, Executive Director of the JDDC, said.
McCallister’s attorney had no comment on the charges — which at this point are only allegations. The judge would be entitled to a full hearing and will remain on the bench. The Commission could suspend him, with pay, if he were charged with a crime. A criminal investigation, we’re told, is underway.
