Former Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh Returns to Government Service

Less than three years after being found guilty on fifteen disciplinary counts, former Chief Magistrate Joanne Walsh is back inside the government — this time through the doors of the Department of Immigration.

An internal memorandum received by Antigua.News, dated May 14 places Walsh in the role of General Consultant, with direct oversight tied to the Intel and Prosecution Unit. The move, framed as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement operations, has not been publicly announced by the government.

For twelve years she held the position of Chief Magistrate but that chapter ended abruptly and controversially in the summer of 2023, when the Judicial and Legal Services Commission suspended her amid a growing disciplinary case.

What began as ten charges quickly snowballed. By the time the hearing reached its conclusion in early September of that year, five more counts had been added, leaving Walsh facing fifteen disciplinary charges in total.

They were serious — ranging from the alleged failure to remit funds to the government treasury, to the destruction of official documents, magistrates’ notes, and government property.

She was found guilty on every single one.

Walsh reportedly submitted a retirement letter thereafter which is said to have been accepted by the government.