Charles Simpson

Charles Ralph Simpson, III (b. 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an Article III federal judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. He joined the court in 1986 after being nominated by President Ronald Reagan. He assumed senior status on February 2, 2013.^[1]

Simpson chairs the federal judiciary's International Judicial Relations Committee. This committee coordinates the relationship between the federal judiciary, foreign judiciaries and organizations whose mission is to expand "the rule of law and the administration of justice."^[2]

In 2000, Simpson established a "Sister Court" relationship between the Western District of Kentucky and a court in Pula, Croatia. This was the first such "sister court" relationship between a federal court in the United States and a foreign court.^[2]

Education

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Simpson graduated from the University of Louisville with his bachelor's degree in 1967 and his Juris Doctor J.D. degree in 1970.^[1]

Professional career

Simpson was a private practice attorney from 1971 to 1986. Simpson served as also part-time Counsel for a Jefferson County, Kentucky Judiciary and Executive Branch from 1978 to 1984. Simpson was the Alcoholic Beverage Control Administrator for Jefferson County, Kentucky Liquor Control Board from 1983 to 1984. From 1985 to 1986, Simpson was a city clerk for the City of Rolling Fields, Kentucky.^[1]

Judicial career

Western District of Kentucky

On the recommendation of Senator Mitch McConnell, Simpson was nominated to the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky by President Ronald Reagan on June 6, 1986 to a seat vacated by Charles Allen. Simpson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 1, 1986 on a Senate vote and received commission on August 4, 1986. Simpson has served as the Chief Judge of the Court from 1994 to 2001.^[1] On February 1, 2013, Charles Simpson assumed senior status for the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky after serving on the court for 26 years.^[3]

Noteworthy cases

Rick Pitino extortion (2010-2011)

See also: United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky (USA v. Sypher, 3:2009-cr-00085)

From 2010 to 2011, Judge Charles Simpson presided in the trial of Karen Sypher, who made national headlines for extorting money from Louisville men's basketball Head Coach Rick Pitino. In February 2011, Sypher was convicted of lying to the FBI, retaliating against a witness, and extorting Pitino after he allegedly raped her twice. The alleged rapes were not reported until after she had been charged with extortion and were found to be without merit.^[4]

Judge Simpson sentenced Sypher to seven years and three months in prison, in addition to two years of supervised release. Next, Sypher filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, which found that the case lack merit. The convicted argued that she had ineffective counsel during the original trial.^[5]

For the opinion of the Sixth Circuit, see: United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, USA v. Karen Cunagin Sypher, July 5, 2012.