Harry E. Claiborne, American lawyer and judge (b. 1917)

Harry Eugene Claiborne: A Judicial Legacy Defined by Impeachment

Harry Eugene Claiborne (July 2, 1917 – January 19, 2004) served as a United States District Judge for the District of Nevada, a prestigious federal appointment, from 1978 until his unprecedented impeachment and removal from office in 1986. Appointed to the federal bench by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, Claiborne holds a notable, albeit controversial, place in American judicial history. He was only the fifth individual in the nation's history to be removed from a federal office through the formal impeachment process by the United States Congress, and the first such removal since the impeachment of Florida District Judge Halsted Ritter in 1936. Ritter's impeachment similarly stemmed from charges of judicial misconduct and bringing his court into disrepute, highlighting the extreme rarity and gravity of such congressional action.

Early Life and Illustrious Legal Career in Las Vegas

Born in McRae, Arkansas, in 1917, Claiborne's early life saw him pursue higher education at Ouachita Baptist University before earning his Bachelor of Laws from the Cumberland School of Law. His legal aspirations were briefly put on hold as he served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Following the war, Claiborne chose to establish his legal practice in the burgeoning city of Las Vegas, Nevada, a decision that would profoundly shape his career and public persona.

In Las Vegas, Claiborne quickly distinguished himself as a flamboyant and highly effective defense attorney. His reputation for both legal prowess and a captivating courtroom style attracted an eclectic and often high-profile clientele. He famously represented a diverse array of individuals with deep ties to the city's unique fabric, from celebrated entertainers to notorious figures linked to organized crime:

• Entertainers: His client list included iconic performers such as Frank Sinatra, a titan of the "Rat Pack" and a significant figure in Las Vegas's golden era of entertainment; Dean Martin, another Rat Pack luminary; the legendary singer and actress Judy Garland; and the beloved comedian and television star Carol Burnett. These representations underscored his prominence within the entertainment capital.
• Organized Crime Figures: Equally notable were his clients with connections to the underworld that helped shape early Las Vegas, including figures like Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel, the notorious mobster credited with conceptualizing and developing the Flamingo Hotel, a cornerstone of modern Las Vegas; Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, a Chicago mob associate who oversaw multiple Las Vegas casinos in the 1970s; Joe Conforte, the infamous owner of the Mustang Ranch brothel; and Benny Binion, the controversial founder of Binion's Horseshoe Casino and a well-known figure with organized crime links. This duality of his clientele cemented his status as a truly unique and influential legal personality in Las Vegas.

From Political Aspirations to Federal Judgeship

Claiborne's ambition extended beyond the courtroom; he also ventured into the political arena. He served a single term as a Democratic state assemblyman, demonstrating an early commitment to public service. In 1964, he made an unsuccessful bid for the United States Senate, losing to Howard Cannon in the Democratic primary. Despite their political rivalry, Claiborne and Cannon maintained a friendship. This enduring relationship proved pivotal when, in 1978, Senator Cannon recommended Claiborne to President Carter for an open federal district court judicial seat in Nevada. This recommendation led to Claiborne's appointment, marking a significant transition from a high-profile defense attorney to a federal judge.

Claiborne's judicial career saw him rise swiftly within the ranks. From 1980 to 1986, he served as Chief Judge of the United States District Court in Nevada, a position that conferred considerable administrative responsibilities and judicial leadership over the district's federal caseload.

Conviction, Impeachment, and Legal Defense

The distinguished trajectory of Judge Claiborne's career was dramatically altered in 1984 when he was convicted of tax evasion. Specifically, he was found guilty of failing to report a significant portion of his income and claiming improper deductions. Despite receiving a two-year prison sentence, of which he served 17 months before his release in 1987, Judge Claiborne refused to resign from his judicial position, setting the stage for a constitutional crisis.

In 1986, the United States House of Representatives exercised its constitutional power to impeach him by formally adopting articles of impeachment. Subsequently, the United States Senate conducted a trial, ultimately convicting him and removing him from office. The impeachment proceedings against Judge Claiborne were particularly controversial because they established a new and much-debated precedent: instead of the full Senate hearing all evidence directly, a special twelve-member committee was appointed to collect and hear testimony. This procedural innovation sparked debate regarding the due process rights of the impeached individual and the Senate's traditional role in such weighty matters.

Throughout the ordeal, Claiborne steadfastly maintained his innocence, asserting that the Justice Department harbored a personal vendetta against him. He claimed that the prosecution had improperly obtained false testimony from Joe Conforte, the brothel owner who was one of Claiborne's former clients, suggesting that the entire case against him was a fabrication motivated by malice rather than justice.

Post-Impeachment and Final Years

Remarkably, following his release from prison, Harry Claiborne was permitted to resume practicing law in Nevada in 1987. This decision by the Nevada Supreme Court was significant, as it implicitly questioned the methods or conclusions of the federal prosecution that had led to his downfall. This state-level validation offered a degree of rehabilitation to his tarnished legal career.

In his later years, Claiborne battled severe health issues, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. These debilitating conditions profoundly impacted his quality of life. In 2004, at the age of 86, Harry Eugene Claiborne tragically took his own life through a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing an end to a life marked by both extraordinary achievement and profound controversy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harry Claiborne's Impeachment

Who was Harry Claiborne?

Harry Eugene Claiborne was a prominent defense attorney in Las Vegas and later a United States District Judge for the District of Nevada. He is best known for being one of only a few federal officials impeached and removed from office by the U.S. Congress.

Why was Judge Harry Claiborne impeached?

Judge Claiborne was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives and subsequently removed from office by the U.S. Senate following his 1984 conviction for tax evasion. He was found guilty of filing false income tax returns.

How many federal judges have been removed by impeachment in U.S. history?

As of Claiborne's removal in 1986, he was the fifth person and only the third federal judge in U.S. history to be removed from office through the impeachment process. The others were John Pickering (1804), West H. Humphreys (1862), and Halsted Ritter (1936).

What was the controversial precedent set by Claiborne's impeachment?

Claiborne's impeachment proceedings established a new and controversial precedent where the Senate, instead of hearing all evidence themselves, used a special twelve-member committee to collect and hear evidence before presenting it to the full Senate. This raised concerns about due process and the nature of the Senate's constitutional role in impeachment trials.

Did Harry Claiborne represent mob figures and famous entertainers?

Yes, during his time as a defense attorney in Las Vegas, Harry Claiborne represented a wide array of high-profile clients, including iconic entertainers like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland, as well as notorious figures with ties to organized crime, such as Bugsy Siegel, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, and Benny Binion.