WHO: U.S. District Court Judge G. Thomas Porteous Jr. of New Orleans

WHAT: Porteous could soon become only the eighth federal judge in U.S. history to be impeached, after witnesses last week told a House task force that he accepted money from bail bondsmen and lawyers with business before his court, filed for bankruptcy under a false name, and drank and gambled heavily.

WHY IT’S A BAD IDEA: Many of Porteous’ alleged transgressions date back to his days as a state judge, and they were uncovered during an investigation into other judges in Jefferson Parish, where he served. Legal scholars said he misled Congress by concealing his behavior during the vetting for his federal nomination.