Dunkirk City Court judge submits resignation
DUNKIRK, Ind. – Tommy Dale “Chip” Phillips II has resigned as Dunkirk City Court judge, a post he had held since October 2000.
The resignation, effective Friday, was announced as part of a judicial disciplinary action released by the Indiana Supreme Court.
The Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission in early April filed a misconduct charge against Phillips, 62, who in March received a one-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to battery against a public safety official.
He had been accused of shoving Dunkirk’s police chief – who is also the judge’s nephew – during a disagreement last August.
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After the battery charge was filed in September, the Supreme Court suspended Phillips. The court also directed Jay Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison and Jay Superior Court Judge Max Ludy Jr. to begin handling Dunkirk City Court cases.
The justices noted Phillips had “self-reported his misconduct,” cooperated with the commission, underwent counseling and expressed remorse.
Under the terms of Friday’s action, Phillips “shall not be eligible for future judicial service.” He was also ordered to pay for the cost of the proceedings.
Phillips, an educator, is not an attorney.
Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. Follow him on Twitter: @DouglasWalkerSP.