Judge Fired After Theron Adoption Leak Online

A state judge who admitted posting confidential information about an adoption by actress Charlize Theron on the internet has been removed from office.

Circuit Judge Michael Maggio of Conway, Arkansas, acknowledged using a pseudonym to disclose details of the adoption, which apparently occurred in January 2012 and was handled by another judge in the same city.

The Academy Award-winning actress held several interviews in May 2012 where she said she was the proud mother a healthy boy named Jackson, who she adopted.

Adoption proceedings are sealed under Arkansas law.

Mr Maggio was suspended from all duties in March but allowed to retain his title and continue receiving his $140,000 (£86,081) annual salary pending further review by the Arkansas Judicial Discipline Commission.

But the Supreme Court rejected the commission's recommendation that Mr Maggio be allowed to remain on suspension and be paid until his elected term ends in January.

It also barred him from holding any other judgeship in Arkansas.

"This court concludes that immediate removal is the just and proper sanction for the judge's conduct," the Supreme Court's order stated.

Writing as "geauxjudge" on a sports website devoted to athletics at Louisiana State University, his alma mater, Mr Maggio also offered advice on evading drunk driving citations and suggested sympathy for husbands caught in extramarital affairs.

Earlier this year Theron spoke to Sky News about press intrusion into her private life, comparing it to rape.

The South African-born actress said "every aspect" of her life has become "fodder" for a brand of journalism that exists "in a dark room".