A Colombian judge notorious for showing skin on social media was handed a three-month suspension this week. The reason: she showed herself half naked and smoking in bed during a virtual court session via Zoom. The responsible disciplinary committee decided on Tuesday that Vivian Polania (34) had broken several rules.
The hearing was about a June 2021 car bomb attack on an army facility in the city of Cucuta, Infobae reports. When Polania’s camera was suddenly turned on, the judge was seen “sloppy and sleepy-eyed,” according to the disciplinary committee’s 16-page statement of reasons. In addition, Polania spoke slurred.
Participants filmed the event with their mobile phones
The camera was previously off for almost an hour during the test. When a lawyer present at the hearing warned the judge that the camera was on, Polania immediately turned off the device. But not before a Zoom meeting participant filmed what was happening on his screen with his mobile phone.
The video went viral on the internet. Now the frivolous judge has to take unpaid leave until February. The Disciplinary Committee is of the opinion that Polania cannot perform her duties. She had no respect for the parties at trial and did not comply with the judge’s dress code. “Such a situation is incompatible with the care, respect and caution with which a judge of the Republic should administer justice and shows a clear lack of respect on the part of the official,” the decision said.
She seems unfazed by the controversy
Polania justifies Zoom’s appearance. She wasn’t half naked, she explained on the radio. During the hearing, all she had to do was lie down because she had a panic attack and low blood pressure. She was extremely overworked, which led to psychological problems. In addition, she has always been bullied by her colleagues and criticized for being too sexy.
It is not the first time that the judge caused a sensation with her candor. She was already under investigation because of her Instagram page, where she shows up in skimpy underwear and BDSM-like outfits. Polania does intensive fitness training and of course likes to show off her muscular physique and her 37 tattoos on the internet. This with some success: the judge has more than 360,000 followers on Instagram.
Polania is not impressed by the controversy surrounding the zoom video. “I’m tired of pleasing other people instead of being at peace with myself,” said the 34-year-old. She will not change her personality for others. (no)