{"id":8,"date":"2025-05-21T04:15:57","date_gmt":"2025-05-21T04:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/draincarrollton.com\/?page_id=8"},"modified":"2025-05-21T10:05:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T10:05:18","slug":"joe-don-mcgaugh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/draincarrollton.com\/index.php\/joe-don-mcgaugh\/","title":{"rendered":"Joe Don McGaugh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why This Website Exists: A Personal Account of Judicial Misconduct in Carrollton<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The creation of this website was inspired in large part by my experiences with Associate Judge Joe Don McGaugh, whose actions on the bench have raised serious concerns about fairness and impartiality in Carrollton and Carroll County, Missouri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In my own case, Judge McGaugh dismissed my petition for injunctive relief with prejudice<\/em> \u2014 even though there was a pending motion that had not yet been ruled on. This occurred just prior to his removal from the bench for what I understand to be judicial misconduct. To me, this was not just a procedural issue, but an example of what appears to be a broader pattern of questionable conduct borne from cronyism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defendant in my case, Lonnie Sensenich \u2014 who serves as the fire chief in Carrollton \u2014 is reportedly a personal friend of McGaugh. While I can\u2019t prove favoritism, the connection is troubling and raises legitimate questions about conflicts of interest. Joe Don McGaugh ought to have recused himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around the same time, a Facebook acquaintance of mine had his criminal theft case expunged under McGaugh\u2019s watch. One day the case was on record; the next, it had vanished. While some may view this as routine, others could reasonably perceive it as preferential treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a proud supporter of the Constitution and the rule of law \u2014 and I align with the MAGA movement because I believe in accountability, transparency, and draining the swamp wherever it exists. If the judiciary is to be respected, it must operate above personal relationships, favoritism, and political gamesmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This site is not about hate or threats. It\u2019s about transparency, reform, and giving the people of Carroll County a voice. Judge McGaugh\u2019s conduct, in my view, runs contrary to the values many of us hold dear \u2014 regardless of party affiliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We the people have a right \u2014 and a responsibility \u2014 to hold public officials accountable, especially those entrusted with interpreting and enforcing the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Must Happen:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n