Illinois judge charged after gun is seen falling from jacket

CHICAGO (AP) - A misdemeanor gun charge has been filed against an Illinois judge who allegedly dropped a gun in a Chicago courthouse.

A spokesman for Chief Judge Timothy Evans' office says Cook County Circuit Judge Joseph Claps has been reassigned to "nonjudicial duties" pending a meeting of court's executive committee.

The Associated Press left a message seeking comment early Wednesday from Claps.

A sheriff's department incident report says the 70-year-old Claps was in the lobby of the Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 3, when deputies saw a handgun fall out of a jacket draped over the judge's arm. The judge was seen retrieving the gun and putting it in his pants pocket. Surveillance video recorded what happened.

The judge is scheduled for a court appearance next week.

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