Cathy McBroom

- Alleged sexual harassment began in 2003Houston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted
- McBroom's mother claims her daughter reported the incident to a supervisor immediatelyHouston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted
- Kent allegedly put his mouth on McBroom's breast and tried to force her head to his groin in a March 2007 incidentHouston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted
- McBroom requested a transfer after the incident in March 2007Houston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted
- Filed a formal judicial misconduct complaint in May 2007Houston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted

Cathy McBroom is a federal employee and former court case manager for U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Kent. McBroom requested a transfer in March 2007 after Kent allegedly tried to force her head to his groin. She filed a harassment charge in May of 2007; and Kent was arraigned in September 2008. Kent pleaded not guilty. In January 2009, complaints from a second former employee resulted in a second indictment.ABC News: Not Guilty Plea in Sex Abuse Case
On February 23, 2009, Kent pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, and stepped down from the bench, the first federal judge ever indicted for alleged sex crimes.Law.com: Federal Judge Pleads Guilty to Obstruction, Steps Down (February 23, 2009) Bloomberg: Judge Kent Pleads Guilty to Obstruction, Avoids Trial (Update1) (February 23, 2009)
Sexual Harassment Charges

In May 2007 McBroom filed a formal complaint of judicial misconduct which led to Kent's indictment on charges of abusive sexual contact and attempted aggravated sexual abuse. Kent denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea at his September 3, 2008 arraignment.ABC News: Not Guilty Plea in Sex Abuse Case
In January 2009, Kent was indicted by a federal grand jury on additional sex charges allegedly involving a second former court employee.Galveston County Daily News: ...Kent indicted on additional sex charges
By pleading guilty to obstructing justice, Kent avoided the sex charges. Prosecutors will ask for no more than three years in prison, and three years of probation. Kent also agreed not to appeal if he is given a longer sentence at his sentencing on May 11, 2009.Bloomberg: Judge Kent Pleads Guilty to Obstruction, Avoids Trial (Update1) (February 23, 2009)
McBroom Reaction to Indictment

"After a very difficult 17 months, I feel like I have finally been validated. I have listened and read with horror as Judge Kent's lawyer suggested that what happened to me was 'enthusiastically consensual'. I am relieved to find that even federal judges are not above the law, and that sexual abuse in the workplace is never acceptable, no matter the status of the offender."—Cathy McBroomHouston Chronicle: Judge Samuel Kent Indicted