An outgoing State Court judge in Walker County has filed suit making a claim for more than $70,000 in salary. The suit filed by Judge Bruce Roberts names County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, claiming she "arbitrarily set" his salary at $100,000 per year. Roberts was appointed by the Governor to fill the term of retired Judge Donald Peppers, who was making more than $172,000. The suit claims that as an incumbent, Roberts should have received the same pay as his predecessor, even though Pepper's was in office for 25 years. Heiskell said the negotiated the salary with Roberts when he was appointed, offering him far more than the minimum $60,000 per year, so that he would not be taking a pay cut in the judicial position. Roberts was defeated in his bid for re-election by Billy Mullinax, who takes office in January.