The Tennessee Court of the Judiciary has levied four charges of judicial misconduct against Cocke County General Sessions Judge John Bell. The charges follow a state investigation into the relationship between Bell and East Tennessee Probation Inc., a private probation company incorporated by Bell’s brother-in-law, Tommy Large. If found guilty of judicial misconduct, Bell could face censure, recommendation for impeachment or removal from office. Investigators allege Bell sentenced defendants to probation terms that forced them to pay fees to Large’s company. The Court of the Judiciary also found that Bell was disqualified from hearing misdemeanor probation cases a year ago, but continued to do so. Bell said he has followed the law and done nothing improper or unethical.