Fulton County Superior Court Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane, who presided over the contentious child custody case between singer Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Raymond, recused herself from the case Thursday.
Lane’s decision in September to award custody of the children to the singer and actor raised questions about her connection to Usher’s attorney, John Mayoue.
The recusal came the day after Tameka Raymond’s attorney, Lisa West, filed a motion to preserve information on computers used by Lane’s late sister for her re-election to the bench.
In a statement to CBS Atlanta News, West said “these records were in the possession of Judge Lane’s sister who passed away in March 2012 and are now in the possession of her sister’s estate. Judge Lane and her sister’s children are at odds over who will be the administrator over her sister’s estate.”
West said the computer may contain “valuable information highly relevant” to the issue of Judge Lane’s recusal presented in the Raymond case and countless other cases currently pending.
In October, CBS Atlanta News reported Lane didn’t disclose in court that Usher’s attorney, John Mayoue may have helped her get re-elected. Mayoue was a partner in the now defunct, Warner, Mayoue, Bates & Nolen, PC, which contributed to Lane’s campaign and held a fundraiser for Lane in 2008.
Read more: Jeff Chirico, CBS Atlanta
