Montana board says judge should be disciplined for rape case handling

BILLINGS – A judicial oversight board is seeking disciplinary action against a state judge for saying a 14-year-old rape victim was “older than her chronological age” and sentencing her rapist to just one month in prison, according to court documents released Tuesday.

The Montana Judicial Standards Commission said in a complaint filed with the state Supreme Court that District Judge G. Todd Baugh in Billings had eroded public confidence in the judiciary with his actions in the case.

The commission did not specify what action should be taken. Its rules allow for actions ranging from a private admonition of the judge to his removal from the bench.

Baugh, 72, has apologized for his handling of the case and plans to retire at the end of the year.

He said Tuesday he had not yet seen the complaint.