Here’s the story from the Charlotte Observer:
RALEIGH Mecklenburg Judge Bill Belk’s refusal to resign from a corporate board is “willful disobedience” of rules meant to ensure public trust in the legal system and “selfish pursuit” of his own interests, a lawyer Wednesday told the commission that will decide Belk’s fate.
In a day of often passionate testimony, Nancy Vecchia, the counsel for the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission, called Belk “a man clearly used to having his way.”
She told commissioners Belk essentially ignored at least three opinions – including one from the N.C. Supreme Court – that said his membership on the boards of Sonic Automotive and Monroe Hardware violate judicial canons.
In his defense, Belk said the N.C. code that bans corporate service is out of step with those of other states. And he sought to portray Chief District Judge Lisa Bell as the aggressor in a February confrontation that left her in tears.
The commission will decide whether to dismiss the charges or levy a penalty from a reprimand to removal. Their decision is expected to take weeks or even months.
In the first of two sets of charges, Belk is accused of violating judicial codes by serving on the boards and for his behavior in the confrontation with Bell.
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“To me it was very clear you were trying to get around these canons so you could continue your lifestyle,” testified co-instructor Rebecca Knight, a district judge from Asheville and commission member.