The new Jefferson County justice of the peace wrote a letter in April to the state House of Representatives urging lawmakers to impeach County Judge Gerald Robinson but now says the letter, which he did not mail, was the result of a “knee jerk reaction.”
A person wishing to remain anonymous forwarded a copy of the letter to The Commercial this week. On Thursday, new Justice of the Peace Richard Victorino, a Republican from Pine Bluff, confirmed that he wrote the letter, adding that he showed it to one state representative but didn’t mail it to any other lawmakers. He declined to identify the person he showed the letter to.
“The letter was never sent because we decided that that wouldn’t be an appropriate action to take,” he said. “The letter wasn’t supposed to be publicized because we decided to handle it differently.”
In the subject line of the letter, Victorino wrote: “Declaration to Impeach Jefferson County Arkansas County Judge Gerald Robinson for Dereliction of Duty and Fiduciary Responsibility. In the body of the letter, Victorino, a constable, said he had been “closely monitoring” Robinson’s actions.
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“It has become evident that he has neglected his duties, particularly concerning the timely payment of county employees,” Victorino wrote. “Given the gravity of these issues, the Arkansas House of Representatives must take immediate action to address this matter. I, along with numerous concerned citizens, hereby request the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Judge Gerald Robinson.”
Victorino’s letter, dated April 30, outlines his deep dissatisfaction with Robinson’s performance. Victorino says this neglect has caused significant financial distress and hardship for the county’s workforce, undermining their morale and productivity.
“The delayed and inconsistent payment of salaries has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and financial instability, directly affecting the quality of services provided to the residents of Jefferson County,” Victorino wrote. He emphasized that the county judge’s role includes managing the county’s finances effectively and ensuring the smooth functioning of essential public services.
When asked about the motivation behind the letter, the Victorino said: “My feeling at the time is something had to be done … something shocking, you know, so that the county people and county employees will get paid. You know, and here we are, almost a year later.”
Victorino further elaborated on the context of the letter, stating: “And you know a lot of things have changed and it’s even gotten worse, but at that time, I felt that there needed to be some strong intervention. I wrote it to at least have some path forward. It was going to be a situation where other people weren’t getting paid because they disagreed with others.”
Victorino said he didn’t have all the facts when he wrote the letter and now feels different.
“I didn’t know the facts. It was a knee jerk reaction,” he said.
Victorino said he was advised by the House member that “we’re not going for the throat” and that the House would not be so aggressive as to seek Robinson’s impeachment.
“He said ‘We’re going to work this out,'” said Victorino, referring to the House member.
Because of the Jefferson County Quorum Court’s inability to pass a budget for 2025, county workers went almost two months this year without being paid. In the end, state lawmakers from the Jefferson County area took a bill to the legislature that required a quorum court to continue using the previous year’s budget if the members were unable to pass a new budget. The bill sailed through the Senate and House and was quickly signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, allowing the employees to be paid.
Sanders appointed Victorino as the new justice of the peace for District 11 in Jefferson County to serve the remainder of Danny Holcomb’s term, which expires at the end of 2026. Holcomb resigned his position as justice of the peace, stating that he had received threats over the county’s contentious budget issue.
Victorino said his call for impeachment was not just a personal grievance but a reflection of the concerns of numerous citizens in Jefferson County. He said he urged the state House of Representatives to initiate impeachment proceedings and conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against Robinson.
In a related matter, Victorino also addressed a letter to Robinson and the county judges on Jan. 15, demanding immediate action regarding the ongoing budget discussions for the fiscal year 2025. Victorino stressed the importance of fulfilling fiduciary responsibilities to ensure the financial stability of county employees.
Victorino proposed several statutory options to avoid a budgetary impasse, including continuing appropriations, adopting an interim budget, using emergency reserve funds, calling special sessions, engaging public input, and seeking legal remedies if necessary. He highlighted the legal and ethical obligations of county representatives to prioritize the interests of their constituents, particularly the timely payment of salaries.
“By utilizing these options, you can effectively fulfill your fiduciary duties to the county employees and their families, ensuring that they receive the financial support they need during this critical time,” Victorino wrote.
Victorino expressed his gratitude and commitment in a formal acceptance letter addressed to Sanders, Rep. Mike Holcomb, and Chairman David Singer of the Jefferson County Republican Committee, dated Feb. 8.
“I am honored to step into this important role,” Victorino stated. “Your confidence is a true blessing, and I am committed to upholding Christian ethics and the core values of our party in every decision I make.”
Victorino emphasized his dedication to serving all residents of Jefferson County, outlining his mission to ensure that transparency, honor, and integrity guide his service. He also expressed his desire to foster a community rooted in respect and compassion.
“It is my sincere desire to create an environment where every voice is heard and valued, and to ensure that our actions reflect the love and grace that we strive to uphold,” Victorino wrote.
Victorino attended his first Quorum Court meeting on Monday and abstained from voting on the 2025 budget, which failed, saying afterward that he did not know enough about the particulars of the proposed budget to make an informed decision on it.
“You know, people say ‘whose side are you on?'” he said. “I said ‘I’m on the people’s side. I’m not on one group side or the other.'”
Last week Robinson voiced his support for Victorino to serve on the Quorum Court.
“I want to thank Rick for his willingness to serve,” Robinson said. “I believe he will be a just and fair man who will make the best decisions for Jefferson County and will do right by his constituents.”
Robinson expressed confidence in Victorino’s ability to contribute to the county’s progress, stating, “It is in order for us to continue to progress and move forward.”