Judge Blames Lifelong Porn Viewing Addiction in Hearing to Keep Job

Will County Judge Joseph Polito admitted to a nearly lifelong addiction to porn Thursday when addressing the Illiniois Courts Commission in an effort to keep his judicial position.

Polito, of Joliet, is quoted in an online Chicago Sun-Times story as being shamed by the revelation that he was viewing pornography on his computer while at work, but that it did not affect his performance as a judge.

The addiction began when he was a child, Polito said, and he is now receiving professional help, attends a Sexuality Anonymous support group twice weekly and hasn’t used porn in more than a year, according to the story.

“I used pornography as a crutch to deal with my feelings of inadequacy,” he told the commission. “For 60 years this was an inner conflict—I was ashamed, I didn’t feel good about it and tried to stop. The only way I knew to address it was in a confession with a priest.”

A decision is the case will be issued at a future date, the story said.