A Kansas City judge accused of taking loans from lawyers hastaken an indefinite leave. Judge Deborah Neal’s lawyer says a state judicial commission is investigating Neal. The lawyer, John Kurtz, says loans Neal received from lawyers did not influence her judicial decisions. Neal joined the municipal court in 1996. She filed for bankruptcy protection four years ago and has been repaying the bankruptcy debts. The Missouri Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline of Judges is notcommenting on Neal’s case.
