Bebe HeiskellThe Georgia Court of Appeals ordered Walker County to pay the attorneys’ fees for Bruce Roberts, the former state court judge who had to defend “frivolous” lawsuits from the county.
In a ruling Monday, the justices said the county owes $31,000 to Roberts for defending three claims brought against him by former Commissioner Bebe Heiskell. The county might owe more money, though. The Court of Appeals ruled that Roberts is due attorneys’ fees for defending a fourth claim that Heiskell brought against him.
In September 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Roberts to the Walker County State Court bench. Heiskell paid Roberts $100,000 a year, about $70,000 shy of the salary for his predecessor, Donald Peppers.
In July 2012, Roberts lost his re-election. He then sued the county, claiming he was illegally underpaid because of how much Peppers earned. Heiskell, in turn, filed a countersuit.
Among her claims, she said Roberts inflicted emotional distress against Sheriff Steve Wilson because he dismissed many traffic tickets.