Judge who appeared half-naked at Zoom hearing suspended

A Colombian judge known for posting sexy photos on social media has been suspended for three months for appearing half-naked and smoking in bed during a video call to a virtual audience.

According to the Argentine portal Infobae, the Norte de Santander Judicial Disciplinary Commission ruled on Tuesday (22) that Judge Vivian Polania has violated multiple administrative regulations.

During the video conference held on the Zoom platform, the 34-year-old judge was seen smoking a cigarette with only a blouse and panties. He was attending a hearing regarding the explosive attack on an army brigade in Cúcuta in June 2021.

The half-naked image of the judge quickly spread on social media, and the disciplinary committee launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the Disciplinary Judiciary Commission, Vivian kept her camera turned off for about an hour before activating it, revealing she was lying in bed, looking “tired and sleepy” and slurring.

When a lawyer present at the hearing told the judge that his camera was on, he immediately turned off the device.

The committee said that the decision to put Vivian on unpaid leave until February was taken after it was determined that Vivian was unable to fulfill her duties due to her failure to respect the parties and not complying with the judicial dress code.

“Such a situation is not consistent with the care, respect and prudence required of a republican judge to administer justice, which shows a clear lack of respect by the presenter,” the disciplinary process text states.

However, after the scandal, Vivian broke her silence and denied that she was half-naked during the trial. She confirmed during the interview that she was sleeping, but it was necessary because she had had an anxiety attack and had low blood pressure.

In an interview with Colombian broadcaster Blu Radio, the judge said that his job had overloaded him with mental health problems. He also stated that he had long been bullied by fellow judges in Cúcuta and threatened with disciplinary action because of the way he dressed.

Vivian is already under investigation for posting lewd photos of herself in sexy outfits and showing 37 tattoos on her Instagram profile, where she has more than 300,000 followers.

The judge explained that when he started working in Cúcuta he could not bear to wear pants due to the intense heat in the area, so he preferred to wear shorts and a T-shirt. However, this situation began to disturb some people around him.

Despite the criticism, Vivian is not willing to give up on her style and choices because of a few disapproving glances. She also stated that she would not change her personality for anyone.

“I’m tired of pleasing people instead of seeking peace of mind,” said the judge.