Mobile County Circuit Judge Michael A. Youngpeter recused himself from a case involving Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson and former police chief Paul Prine.

Prine filed a slander, libel, civil conspiracy lawsuit alleging his termination last year came after months of conspiracies against him. 

In addition to Stimpson, defendants are the mayor’s chief of staff James Barber, public safety director Rob Lasky, Councilmen CJ Small, Joel Daves, Cory Penn, William Carroll, Ben Reynolds, former U.S. Attorney Kenyen Brown, the Thompson Coburn law firm, Powers Consulting Group and former FBI agent Tyrone Powers.

A court order stated that Youngpeter’s interactions with one of those involved could be a conflict of interest.

“A Judge should at all times avoid all appearance of impropriety,” the order stated. “The undersigned Judge recently had the responsibility to routinely interact with one of the Parties. The undersigned Judge wishes to conduct himself at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.”

“The undersigned Judge pursuant to Canon 2, Canons of Judicial Ethics, hereby recuses himself,” the order continued.

Youngpeter made headlines in 2022 after reacting to Stimpson’s claim that a broken justice system contributed to increased gun violence in Mobile. WKRG reported Youngpeter did not say Stimpson’s name but denied comments from “some public officials.” He called the comments an “unprecedented, unwarranted and unacceptable attack” and called the claims false and offensive.

Circuit Court Judge S. Wesley Pipes was assigned to the case.

1819 News has reached out to all parties named in the lawsuit for comment.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.

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