Reporters have been circling Circuit Judge Willard Proctor’s court today in response to hot rumors that developments were imminent in investigations related to the judge’s operation of a highly criticized probation program he set up apart from the state probation system. His fee collection was criticized by state auditors and unorthodox requirements for probationers — health screenings, for example — have been cited by others. He fired one employee who claimed health prevented her from attending a required out-of-state retreat he scheduled for staff in Texas, using public money.

Nobody is answering the phone at Proctor’s office. So far, no public agency has surfaced with news of any action. The smoke surrounding the subject has been thick for days, however.

Advertisement

Help to Keep Great Journalism Alive in Arkansas

Join the fight for truth and become a subscriber of the Arkansas Times. We've been battling powerful forces for 50 years through our tough, determined, and feisty journalism. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, our readers value great journalism. But we need your help to do even more. By subscribing and supporting our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage. Together, we can continue to hold the powerful accountable and bring important stories to light. Subscribe now or donate for as little as $1 and be a part of the Arkansas Times community.

Previous article The money race Next article Thursday: Salty Dogs, Epiph on TV, the Future of Ghost and more