Fun WSJ Expose on Federal Judges--Texas Judge the Worst of the Bunch

 Per today's Wall Street Journal:
"More than 130 federal judges have violated U.S. law and judicial ethics by overseeing court cases involving companies in which they or their family owned stock.
A 1974 federal law requires judges to disqualify themselves from cases if they, their spouse/children hold a financial interest in a plaintiff or defendant... "

Naturally, Surprisingly the worst offender is from Texas; Judge Rodney Gilstrap , who presides over a small courthouse in Marshall, Texas. Judge Gilstrap has taken on 138 patent cases since 2011 where he or a family member had a financial interest.

The [cornered] Judges offered a variety of explanations for the violations. Some blamed court clerks. Some said their recusal lists had misspellings that foiled the conflict-screening software. Some pointed to trades that resulted in losses.(?)  Several judges stated they misunderstood the law. (heh) 

Responses from the Judges included the following:
"I regret my misunderstanding..."
"I just blew it..."
"I dropped the ball..."
"It is an oversight..."
“I have preferred to stay unknowledgeable about it.”