Chester County Sheriff’s wife suspended from magistrate position

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By Greg Suskin

CHESTER CO. — Chester County magistrate Angel Underwood has been suspended after someone raised a potential conflict of interest issue because she is married to the county sheriff and hears sheriff’s office cases. She was appointed to a magistrate position in 2011, months before her husband Alex Underwood was sworn in as sheriff. Court officials learned Friday that Angel Underwood was suspended from her job as magistrate. Her four-year term had just ended, and her reappointment to the position was pending, according to state Sen. Creighton Coleman.  Coleman recommends judicial appointments to the governor’s office from Chester and Fairfield counties. He told Channel 9 Monday that he learned of the allegations last week, but hadn’t made his mind up yet about recommending Underwood for a second term.  The allegation, which surfaced Friday cited the potential conflict of interest between Underwood’s role as a judge and her husband’s job as sheriff.  An unknown complainant claims the potential conflict exists because Underwood hears sheriff’s office cases in her courtroom. Neither Angel nor Alex Underwood would comment on the suspension Monday.  Her Columbia attorney was also not available. Since Monday was a state holiday, there was no one at the judicial disciplinary counsel, which will handle the case. Coleman said he must now wait on any action from that counsel before deciding whether or not to recommend Underwood for reappointment as a judge. People Channel 9 spoke to in Chester had not heard about the suspension, but when told about it, some believed it was politically motivated. “It’s just dirty. It’s not fair. They’re not being treated fairly here in Chester County,” said Margie Williams. Robert Butler said the system should work first before anyone judges. “If such a situation occurs, perhaps it would be a conflict of interest, but I think she uses her own judgment on issues,” he said. Another magistrate who did not wish to be named told Channel 9 that under the law the parties involved in a case can waive the conflict of interest concern so a certain judge can still hear a case.  Chester’s Chief Magistrate Yale Zamore refused Channel 9′s request for an interview Monday.