Joel Baker’s Resignation Becomes Official

TYLER – Smith County Commissioners have accepted the resignation of County Judge Joel Baker. The action came at Tuesday’s commissioner’s court session. The commissioners then voted to have Nathaniel Moran permanently fill Baker’s position. He had been named acting County Judge in July. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced in September Baker had agreed to resign to resolve a pending commission investigation against him. Baker had been accused of violating the Open Meetings Act. He was also under investigation for allegations he was involved in explicit sexual behavior online while conducting government business.