Arkansas appeals court upholds contempt ruling against Jefferson County Judge

Pine Bluff, Ark. (KATV) — A legal battle between two of Jefferson County’s top leaders is continuing, after the Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld a contempt ruling against County Judge Gerald Robinson.

The dispute centers around payment claims from the sheriff’s office, which Lafayette Woods Jr. says were unfairly denied.

“We were singled out, we were targeted, simply because he’s got an issue with me. I think I’ve been identified as his political adversary I guess,” Woods said.

What’s unfolded has turned into a years-long conflict between the county judge and sheriff, with Woods claiming the issue has become personal.

“It’s personal, it’s personal. Some people cannot in leadership positions, can’t separate personal from business,” he said.

Woods says the problems began when routine payment claims were denied over what he calls minor or unusual reasons.

“We started having issues with claims being denied simply because the billing address and the ship to address were different addresses. That’s never happened. That’s never been a reason for denial,” he said.

The sheriff first filed a lawsuit in 2022, arguing the denials were arbitrary and unfairly targeted his office. In 2023, a circuit court agreed, but Woods says the denials continued.

“When you have that, it’s a bad form of government,” he said.

In 2024, Woods filed a contempt petition. A judge later agreed, finding Robinson in contempt and ordering him to pay $6,700 in attorney fees.

Robinson appealed, but the Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld the ruling.

“We’ve tried to talk and talk it out and meet about it and compromise. When all those things have failed, we leaned on the decision for the courts and I am pleased, thoroughly pleased with the decision they’ve made,” Woods said.

We reached out to Robinson for comment but were directed to his attorney. He is now asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to take the case and overturn the decision, arguing there is no proof of willful wrongdoing.

For now, the ruling stands, and the dispute between the two county leaders continues.