Joe Ellery is a corrupt judge and a statutory rapist.
History[]
According to ADA Carisi, Ellery has a reputation of letting suspects get off easily, hence the nickname "Let 'Em Go Joe". This was seen when Ellery dismissed the rape charges against Steve Getz on the grounds that Getz mistakenly believed the victims, Ivy and Milly Bucci, were old enough to consent and that he did not know their true ages. (SVU: "Can't Be Held Accountable")
After Ivy and Milly's father Frank kidnapped Detective Rollins, an investigation was opened as to why Ellery dismissed the charges. It was discovered that Getz had footage of Ellery having sex with a seventeen-year-old girl, which he used as leverage against him. After being arrested by the Special Victims Unit, Ellery agreed to go undercover to catch Getz. Later, after a sting operation in which Ellery wore a wire, Getz, attorney Peter Abrams and girlfriend/procurer Granya Marcil were arrested and imprisoned. (SVU: "Must Be Held Accountable")
Despite the evidence against him, Ellery remained on the bench and presided over the case against Richard Wheatley for Kathy Stabler's murder. Carisi voiced his anger that someone like Ellery was still a judge. Even so, he appeared to have forgone his reputation of letting suspects go and made sure that the case was taken seriously. This was most notably seen when Ellery held Detective Stabler in contempt after Stabler questioned if he was on Wheatley's payroll. (SVU: "People Vs Richard Wheatley")
Appearances[]
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 seasons, 3 episodes):