A Lubbock County Justice of the Peace has claimed on an online and social media outlet that Lubbock County Judge Curtis Parrish made unwanted sexual contact with her.
A video of Susan Rowley, who presides as Justice of the Peace of Precinct 2, was posted Sunday on the Lubbock Lampoon Facebook page during which she recounted what she called an encounter with Parrish.
Parrish, who described Rowley's allegation as "preposterous," declined to comment.
In the video, Rowley said she met with Parrish alone in his office to confide in him about personal tragedies with which she was dealing and hoped to find solace. The video didn't indicate when the meeting happened.
"I trusted him and I thought maybe I could explain all the things that are going on with
me and maybe be able to make me feel better about myself," she said.
She said at no point in the meeting did she indicate that she was interested in a sexual relationship with him. However, she said at the end of their conversation Parrish made physical sexual advances at her.
Rowley said she left Parrish's office and confided in another county employee.
According to the video, Rowley said other women have described similar experiences with Parrish.
It was not immediately clear if Rowley was pursuing criminal or legal recourse. At present, officials with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office and Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed they have not received any complaints about Parrish.
Gabriel Monte is the criminal justice reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas. Have a news tip for him? Email him at gmonte@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock County JP shares claim against judge on social media outlet
