'I would shoot and kill men like that': Judge accused of racism and 'witness interference'

An Illinois judge has been removed from the bench after he was accused of making racist comments and "witness interference and tampering," ABC 7 reported.

Cook County Judge William Hooks allegedly made inappropriate and racist comments about Arab American men in a January meeting with prosecutors, and then reached out to those prosecutors after the meeting, according to a court filing from an attorney.

The Cook County Circuit Court executive committee ordered the Judicial Inquiry Board to investigate and assign Hooks to "restricted duties or duties other than judicial duties."

Hooks is accused of speaking "stereotypically" about people accused of domestic violence. In one comment during the meeting, he said that Middle Eastern men "are also controlling and abusive."

"I would shoot and kill men like that from Middle Eastern countries," Hooks continued, referring to his military service.

He's also accused of improperly reaching out to prosecutors who were present at the meeting and asking them about their memory of his comments.