Judge and prosecutor admit sexual relationship

Ivan Moreno, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 23, 2007 at midnight

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A Douglas County judge and a female prosecutor admitted having sex in his chambers, and on more than one occasion he slipped into the women's showers at the courthouse so they could be together.

Those are some of the details included in a complaint filed with the Attorney Regulation Council, which is looking into the allegations that could result in their disbarment.

Grafton M. Biddle, 57, resigned his position as judge on Dec. 18, after rumors began circulating that he was having a romantic relationship with Laurie A. Steinman, 29.

Carol Chambers, the district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, which includes Douglas County, fired Steinman on Dec. 22.

According to a complaint filed Friday with the Attorney Regulation Council, which investigates misconduct by lawyers, Biddle and Steinman began their affair during the spring of 2006.

Steinman regularly appeared in Biddle’s court to handle dispositions.

In the complaint, both admit they had sex in the judge’s chambers and "on a number of occasions, Judge Biddle would ‘sneak’ into the women’s shower facility in the courthouse early in the morning."

Both face a disciplinary hearing that has yet to be scheduled before the state Supreme Court Disciplinary Judge William Lucero. Their punishment can range from a private reprimand to disbarment.

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