Judge Defends Ex-Secretary’s Review Says Poor Evaluation Not Tied To Breakup Of Their Relationship

Oregon Supreme Court Justice Edward Fadeley testified Saturday that he gave a former secretary a poor evaluation because she did a lousy job, not because she ended their romantic relationship.

Kiska Johnson, who worked as Fadeley’s judicial assistant from August 1989 to January 1995, told the Judicial Fitness and Disability Commission that the judge harassed her and unfairly criticized her work after she broke off their sexual relationship in May 1990.

The commission is investigating whether Fadeley, 66, violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by making sexually suggestive comments and physical contact with Johnson and two other women in his office, by pulling on his veterinarian’s bra strap, and by having a sexual relationship with Johnson.

Johnson, who testified all day Friday and into the evening, finished her testimony Saturday morning. Then it was Fadeley’s turn, followed by three of Johnson’s former co-workers, who testified that Johnson’s work habits were below average.

Testifying in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Fadeley said Johnson’s clerical skills, accuracy in typing up judicial opinions, concentration and attendance continued to slide after the August 1990 evaluation.

Johnson said Friday that she was intimidated by Fadeley, and had sex with him because she thought her job depended on it.

Fadeley said Johnson never expressed those concerns to him.

Joan Stevens, a judicial assistant with the court for 18 years, described Johnson as a lazy worker who often left the office for days, and whose poor work habits shifted the workload to the rest of the staff.

Another Supreme Court employee said Johnson was the aggressor in Fadeley’s office, often yelling and slamming doors.

Johnson said she initially didn’t report the harassment because she feared she’d be disciplined.