Superior Court Judge Brooks E. Blitch of southeast Georgia's Clinch County will face a hearing on charges of ethical misconduct by the state agency that has the power to remove Georgia judges from office. Court papers accuse Blitch of ordering thousands of dollars in illegal payments to several county employees, as well as improperly ordering the early release of six imprisoned felons. The 72-year-old Blitch is one of the most powerful politicians in rural Clinch County, where he has presided as a judge since 1980.
