That is because the Court reporter is selected by the Judge for whom he/she works. Being full time Court reporter is a plum job for which there is, uhh, stiff competition. When the Judge retires, is elevated to Court of Appeals, loses the election, and a new Judge is selected for that position, there is a scramble as "full time" positions are immediately available for the Court clerk, Court reporter and bailiff. The new Judge may simply leave in place the staff already there, or pick new staff if he wants, sometimes temporarily trying out the new aspirants to see which of those he prefers.

The Court reporter kept quiet as long as she did because she knew her job security depended on the Judge being in office. If he went, she would be likely to go; if she "told" on the job, she probably would never be able to get another full time job in Court, as the Judicial community is tight knit, and who would hire a snitch?

Thisis kind of incident is scandalous, though, tends to bring the Courts into disrepute.

(I worked as a Court room clerk for about 20 years)

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