Disbarment
Jack Thompson, the Florida lawyer noted for his activism against video games, rap music, and Howard Stern was permanently disbarred for various charges of misconduct. The action was the result of several grievances claiming that Thompson had made defamatory, false statements and attempted to humiliate, embarrass, harass or intimidate his opponents. The order was made on September 25, 2008, effective October 25. However, Thompson attempted to appeal to the higher courts in order to avoid the penalty actually taking effect. Neither the US District court, nor the US Supreme Court would hear his appeal, rendering the judgment of the Florida Supreme Court final.
Ralph Gordon Thompson
Thompson was nominated by President Gerald Ford on September 24, 1975, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma vacated by Judge Stephen Sanders Chandler Jr. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 9, 1975, and received his commission on October 14, 1975. He served as Chief Judge from 1986 to 1993. He served as a Judge of the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1990 to 1997. He assumed senior status on December 16, 1999. Thompson served in that capacity until August 6, 2007 when he retired from his position making room for his successor and son-in-law, the newly appointed Judge Timothy DeGiusti. Federal law prohibits close relatives from serving concurrently on the Federal bench.