Prominent Tasmanian Supreme Court Judge Gregory Geason has today been arrested and charged with criminal offences.
In a brief statement on Friday afternoon, a spokesperson from Tasmania Police said a 62-year-old man, later confirmed to be Mr Geason, was taken into custody earlier in the day.
“The man has been charged with one count of common assault as well as one count of emotional abuse,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Geason appeared before the Hobart Magistrates Court during an after-hours session on Friday evening.
While media were not allowed inside the courtroom, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed that Justice Geason had been granted bail with the condition that he must not violate any interim or existing family violence orders.
These charges come in the wake of last month’s announcement by Attorney-General Guy Barnett that Mr Geason had been placed on leave by the Chief Justice over a “significant matter”.
November 3: Tasmanian judge placed on leave over “significant matter”
A Tasmanian judge has been placed on leave over a “significant matter”, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Guy Barnett has confirmed.
In a brief 3-line statement, Barnett said: “Today I met with the Chief Justice (The Honourable Justice Alan Blow) of the Supreme Court in relation to a significant matter involving a Judge.”
“The Chief Justice has asked the Judge to take leave until further notice.”
“As Attorney-General, I take this matter very seriously and will consider any further action as appropriate.”
The minister did not disclose the identity of the judge or provide specific details about the situation, however Pulse understands the judge is Gregory Geason.
When questioned about the judge’s court location or whether the issue relates to the judge’s personal or professional role, a Department of Justice spokesperson told Pulse that the department “does not comment on staffing matters”.
They also did not disclose when the Justice Department first became aware of the issue.
According to the Supreme Court website, only the Governor can dismiss a judge for misconduct at the request of both houses of parliament.
No findings have been made against Justice Geason and he is not accused of any criminal wrongdoing.
