Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore has been suspended with pay from his office and faces removal from the bench. The action comes from his effort to block same-sex marriage from coming to Alabama despite the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide.
The Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission on Friday filed ethics charges against Moore accusing him of abusing his authority and failing to respect the judiciary
The charges stem from a January administrative order Moore sent to probate judges telling them an Alabama order banning same-sex marriages remained in effect. His order came six months after U.S. Supreme Court decision effectively legalizing gay marriage nationwide.
Moore issued a statement saying he will fight the charges.
The Alabama Court of the Judiciary will decide whether Moore should be removed.