Judge Filed Complaints Against Former Chief Justice
Senior Circuit Court Judge Susan Carbon initiated proceedings against Gordon MacDonald regarding his conduct.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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On May 19, Senior Circuit Court Judge Susan Carbon filed two complaints against former New Hampshire Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald. The filings alleged MacDonald made material misrepresentations regarding his stance on House Bill 1130.
Why it matters
The complaints triggered an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Committee into allegations of judicial misconduct. The process faced scrutiny as attorneys sought to disqualify committee members to ensure an impartial review of the allegations.
The Judicial Conduct Committee recently denied a motion filed by attorney Jane Young to disqualify three committee members from reviewing the complaints. Gordon MacDonald resigned from his position as chief justice and from the Supreme Court on September 15.
The players
Susan Carbon
She is a Senior Circuit Court Judge who initiated the formal complaints against the former chief justice.
Gordon MacDonald
He served as the Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court before resigning in September.
Jane Young
She is an attorney who filed a motion attempting to disqualify Judicial Conduct Committee members from the review process.
Robert Lynn
He is a former chief justice who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding legislative involvement.
The details
The controversy centered on claims that the former chief justice misrepresented his position on House Bill 1130 during proceedings. Following the filing of the complaints, the Judicial Conduct Committee moved forward with an investigation into reports of judicial misconduct.
Timeline
March 20: Supreme Court justices attended a training session.
May 19: Susan Carbon filed two complaints against MacDonald.
June 26: MacDonald was informed of the two complaints.
July 10: MacDonald was scheduled for a committee presentation.
September 15: MacDonald resigned from the Supreme Court.
Legal Context
The controversy centers on alleged misrepresentations regarding New Hampshire House Bill 1130, setting a precedent for judicial accountability in legislative matters. The investigation mirrors broader state efforts to strictly define the boundaries between judicial and legislative influence.
The resolution of this case impacts public trust in the state judiciary and the transparency of judicial administrative operations. Residents may see continued scrutiny regarding the use of state funds, such as contracts for outside lobbyists or administrative payouts.
The takeaway
Maintaining impartial oversight of the judicial branch is essential for preserving public confidence in the legal system. High-ranking officials remain subject to the same ethical standards and conduct reviews as all other members of the judiciary.
Further reading
For more information on state judicial ethics, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by InDepthNH.
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