Letter From The Commission On Judicial Performance Related To Complaints: Judge Lucas, Judge James Towery, Judge Mary Ann Grilli, Judge Mark Pierce, Judge Mary Arand, Judge Drew Takachi
As voters were poised to recall Judge Aaron Michael Persky, his peers at the Santa Clara County Superior Court rallied , retaliated and violated California's Code of Judicial Ethics Canon 1- 6, to protect the judiciary. Now the judges who engaged in judge crimes, and who violated the law are being investigated by the Commission on Judicial Performance. Judge James Towery is also named in a criminal investigation and a complaint of antitrust activity in Santa Clara County divorce and custody cases, where he was known to protect private divorce lawyers and lawyers from Hoge Fenton, where he was formerly a partner.
Original Title
Letter from the Commission on Judicial Performance Related to Complaints: Judge Lucas, Judge James Towery, Judge Mary Ann Grilli, Judge Mark Pierce , Judge Mary Arand, Judge Drew Takachi
As voters were poised to recall Judge Aaron Michael Persky, his peers at the Santa Clara County Superior Court rallied , retaliated and violated California's Code of Judicial Ethics Canon 1- 6, to protect the judiciary. Now the judges who engaged in judge crimes, and who violated the law are being investigated by the Commission on Judicial Performance. Judge James Towery is also named in a criminal investigation and a complaint of antitrust activity in Santa Clara County divorce and custody cases, where he was known to protect private divorce lawyers and lawyers from Hoge Fenton, where he was formerly a partner.
Letter From The Commission On Judicial Performance Related To Complaints: Judge Lucas, Judge James Towery, Judge Mary Ann Grilli, Judge Mark Pierce, Judge Mary Arand, Judge Drew Takachi
As voters were poised to recall Judge Aaron Michael Persky, his peers at the Santa Clara County Superior Court rallied , retaliated and violated California's Code of Judicial Ethics Canon 1- 6, to protect the judiciary. Now the judges who engaged in judge crimes, and who violated the law are being investigated by the Commission on Judicial Performance. Judge James Towery is also named in a criminal investigation and a complaint of antitrust activity in Santa Clara County divorce and custody cases, where he was known to protect private divorce lawyers and lawyers from Hoge Fenton, where he was formerly a partner.
State of Catton
Commission on Judicial Performance
435 Golden Gate Abenne, Suite M400
an Francisco, CA 91102-3660
a) S87 200
Fax @18) 857-1266
Webste: ntpepea gov
December 11, 2018
Susan Bassi
P.O. Box 2220
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Dear Ms, Bassi:
This letter is to acknowledge receipt of the voluminous correspondence you have
submitted to the Commission on Judicial Performance, including your letter dated
October 29, 2018. This matter is still under consideration. Your letter, dated October 29,
2018, incorrectly states that you were asked to send additional information via email to
Ms. Drummer. Please note that, as staff has previously advised you, any additional
information you would like to provide should not be submitted via email to staff; you
may submit this information via mail or fax.
In order to proceed further with your complaints, please provide the following
additional information by mail:
1. Please provide a copy of the transcript from the hearing that took place on
October 3, 2016, which you refer to in item “A” of your correspondence,
dated October 29, 2018.
2. You state in item “M” of this correspondence that one judge continued a
critical motion you filed on December 5, 2015 to August 21, 2017. Please
provide details regarding t cluding the nature of it, and any
related court documents,
3. Please provide a copy of the ease management order you reference in item
“R” of this same correspondence, which you state was made without a
hearing pending before the judge.
In items “S” and “W” of this correspondence, you allege “repeated ex parte
communication” by one judge with two individuals, including one incident
on June 15, 2015. Please provide specific details regarding the additionalSusan Bassi
December 11, 2018
Page Two
dates and nature of these communications, any transcripts, if applicable, and
‘a copy of the emails you reference.
(On the last page of this correspondence, you state that one of the judges
campaigned for a DA. Please provide additional details regarding the nature
of the judge’s campaigning, including any materials pertaining to this matter.
6. Ina document entitled “CJP — Final Information October 2018”, you state
that you observed a judge drinking alcohol and talking about litigants with
lawyers and other judges. Please describe specifically what you heard this
judge say with respect to the litigants.
7. You have also informed staff that one of the judges did not disctose that his
wife was a prosecutor, but that, in the beginning of the case, the judge gave
disclosures, which you believe were inadequate. Please describe specifically
what disclosures this judge made.
The additional information you provide will be reviewed upon receipt. However,
without further details, we cannot determine whether there may be grounds for a judicial
investigation. Please provide the above information by December 28, 2018. We will be
in touch with you if any further information is needed, and after the commission has
reached a decision regarding your complaint
Please note that this commission does not have the authority to provide legal
advice, reverse or re-litigate legal rulings, move your case to another department or court,
or otherwise intervene in your case, Our work is limited to handling complaints
involving allegations of misconduct by California state court judges.
‘Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very truly yours,
Anjuli Fiedler
Staff Counsel
AF:aap/L120518Bassi
Confidential under California Constitution,
Article VI, Section 18, and Commission Rule 102