A Colombian judge known for posting racy photos of herself on social media was given a three-month suspension this week for appearing half-naked and smoking in bed during a virtual court hearing.
The Judicial Disciplinary Commission in Norte de Santander ruled Tuesday that Judge Vivian Polania violated multiple administrative regulations, according to the Spanish-language news outlet Infobae.
Vivian Polania, 34, made national headlines last week when she appeared on a Zoom call lounging in her underwear and puffing on a cigarette during a court hearing related to a car bombing targeting an army brigade in the city of Ccuta in June 2021.
The video of the scantily-clad judge quickly went viral and prompted the disciplinary committee to launch an investigation into Polonia’s NSFW display.
En un video que circula por WhatsApp se ve a la jueza Vivian Polanía (trabaja en el Palacio de Justicia de Cúcuta) atendiendo una diligencia judicial en su cama, semidesnuda y fumando. No sé si esto pueda acarrearle alguna sanción, pero al menos el escándalo ya está servido. pic.twitter.com/9rgNx4C6pV
— Manolesco (@jhonjacome) November 17, 2022
Polonia kept her camera off for nearly an hour before turning it on, revealing that she was lying in bed in a “deplorable” state, looking “disheveled with sleepy eyes,” and slurring her speech, according to the panel’s 16-page ruling.
Polonia quickly turned off her camera after an attorney present at the hearing informed the judge that it had been turned on.
According to the committee, the decision to place Polonia on unpaid leave until February was made after it was determined that she was unfit to perform her duties because she did not respect the parties at the hearing and did not follow the judicial dress code.
“Such a situation is not consistent with the care, respect and circumspection with which a judge of the republic must administer justice, denoting a clear lack of respect from the official,” the ruling read.
Polonia broke her silence in the aftermath of the video’s scandal, denying that she was half-naked and claiming that she had to lie down during the hearing due to an anxiety attack and low blood pressure.
Polonia told Blu Radio that she was overworked, which contributed to her mental health issues. She also claimed that she has long been bullied and threatened with disciplinary action by her fellow judges in Ccuta because of the way she dresses.
Polonia was previously investigated for posting risqué photos of herself in BDSM-style outfits and skimpy lingerie flaunting her 37 tattoos on her Instagram page, where she had over 30,000 followers until her account was deactivated this week.
In an interview with the Colombian outlet Semana, the judge said when she first arrived in Cúcuta, she could not bear to wear pants because of the searing heat, so she opted to wear shorts and T-shirts, but she said it made some people around her uncomfortable.
At the same time she discovered CrossFit, and practicing the intense fitness regiment changed the shape of her body, so Polonia switched to wearing “long, elegant” dresses to work at the Palace of Justice.
But Polonia said her new sartorial choices were likewise criticized for being too sexy, and she was urged to cover up with a judicial robe.
“I got tired of pleasing people over my peace of mind,” the defiant jurist said.
Unbowed by the controversy over the Zoom video, Polonia said she will not change her personality for others.
source:nsemwokrom.com
