By Rob Moritz
Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — A judge facing judicial misconduct allegations said on more than one occasion that God told him to create the anti-addiction program at the center of the charges against him, a former law clerk testified at a disciplinary hearing Tuesday.

Zane Chrisman also testified that she saw Pulaski County Circuit Judge Willard Proctor counting money collected through fees for the Cycle Breakers program in his office.

The testimony occurred during the second day of the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission’s hearing on charges that Proctor violated numerous judicial rules in his relationship with Cycle Breakers and some of the probationers.

Chrisman testified Proctor said “I believe I was called from God to do this” during a meeting with probationers at Barton Coliseum in Little Rock.

The judge also told staff the program was inspired by God, she said.

“I remember him making the statement that shortly after being elected judge he had had … a dream that he believed that God had told him he should go out and form this program that would help decrease the recidivism rate and rehabilitate them,” Chrisman testified.

The commission has set aside the entire week for the hearing. If the three-member panel finds Proctor violated rules of judicial conduct, he could face a range of disciplinary action, including removal from the bench.

Chrisman testified she once saw the judge counting a pile of money on his desk. The money was the fines collected by participants in the program, she said.

The former law clerk also said blank checks for Cycle Breakers were located in the judge’s desk.

She said Proctor once let a probationer stay at his home, and that she and other court employees drove probationers to meetings and appointments, at the judge’s request. The judge said more than once that his career would be in jeopardy if anyone found out he was letting a probationer stay at his home, or allowing staff to transport them places, she added.

Also Tuesday, Kenny Haskin, a former probation officer, read a document that specifically stated Proctor’s top goal for the program was to raise $350,000 through fines.

“Anything that has to do with money or anything monetary, I didn’t really like that all,” Haskin said.

Near the end of Haskin’s testimony, Circuit Judge Leon Jamison of Pine Bluff, one of the three judges hearing the case, asked Haskin to explain the difference between the nonprofit Cycle Breakers Inc., and the probation program.

“They worked hand-in-hand,” Haskin said.

Questioned by Proctor lawyer Austin Porter Jr., both Chrisman and Haskin said they supported the purpose of Cycle Breakers and they spoke highly of the various programs and lessons that the probationers were provided during nightly, weekly and monthly meetings.