A Texas attorney has been ousted from his law firm following allegations of sending a “threatening and harassing letter” to a Black federally-appointed judge, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Ben Aderholt used his former employer’s letterhead and directed the contentious communication toward Judge Erica Hughes, a candidate for Houston’s 151st Judicial District.
In the letter, Aderholt referred to Judge Hudges as a “political animal,” questioning her decision to run against a Democrat. “Political animals who treat our judiciary as political games should be soundly defeated,” he wrote in the missive.
Judge Hughes expressed her astonishment at the contents of the letter in an interview with FOX 26. She remarked on the informality of being addressed by her first name, adding, “The ‘animals’ part stands out to me, that an individual in 2024 would show such disdain for an individual they’ve never met.”
Aderholt’s former law firm, Coats-Rose, swiftly distanced themselves from his actions, confirming his termination in a statement addressed to Judge Hughes. The firm expressed regret over the incident and extended apologies to the judge.
In response to the backlash, Aderholt issued an apology to news outlets, characterizing his actions as “unintentional and careless” and admitting to “an error of judgment.”
Judge Erica Hughes, the first Black woman elected as a Harris County criminal court judge and appointed as an immigration judge by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2021, is no stranger to adversity. Throughout her campaign for Houston’s 151st Judicial District, she has encountered harassment and threatening letters similar to Aderholt’s.
Her challenges intensified when incumbent Judge Mike Engelhart sought to disqualify her from the Democratic primary race, citing concerns over petition signatures. Despite legal battles, Judge Hughes prevailed in the primary elections and is now poised to contest the general election.
As the legal and political landscape in Houston evolves, Judge Erica Hudges remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice and equality.
