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Judge whose anti-rape advice was 'close your legs' loses job
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Judge-whose-anti-rape-advice-was-close-your-15295658.php
A judge who suggested that a woman seeking a restraining order could close your legs to prevent a sexual assault was removed from the bench Tuesday by the New Jersey Supreme Court and permanently barred from presiding over a courtroom.
The unanimous decision cited repeated and serious acts of misconduct by state Superior Court Judge John Russo Jr.
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner wrote that it would be inconceivable for Russo to preside over domestic violence or sexual assault matters after those comments.
The justices had recommended last summer that Russo be removed from the bench, and a three-judge advisory panel agreed in January.
CatWoman
(79,302 posts)to all the unqualified, incompetent, racist hacks that McConnell has installed on the courts.
One by miserable one.
alwaysinasnit
(5,078 posts)regnaD kciN
(26,045 posts)This was a New Jersey state judge, who could thus be removed by the Supreme Court in that state. Federal judges, OTOH, can only be removed by impeachment in the House and conviction by a 2-1 margin in the Senate
and, if you think a time will ever come when Republicans dont have at least 34 Senate seats, youre far more optimistic than I.
CatWoman
(79,302 posts)i'm just looking to the future
malaise
(269,257 posts)Truth will out - they can't help themselves - fucking scum. Remember there was one who had invested heavily in lockups for juveniles and then had youngsters sent there. He was fired as well.
Aristus
(66,509 posts)May all of the other "Just lie back and enjoy it, honey!" assholes follow him very soon...
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Hopefully, a fair number of McConnell/Repub appointees will eventually be removed for cause. IF Democrats keep power in most states and federally, probably most will choose to conform their conduct to judicial requirements sufficiently to keep their jobs.
The third case, where Russo threatened to fine a woman who had failed to show up for a court-ordered paternity test on her child, includes additional details of Russo's remarks when the woman refused to reveal her address during a telephone conversation that was heard by a courtroom full of people, according to the court documents. The portions of the transcript from that case show the woman repeatedly requested the help of an attorney. She also expresses fear for her safety, saying that is why she left New Jersey and why she won't give her address:
From the finding:
Respondent (Russo): What's your address?
C.P.: I wish not to disclose any of that information.
Respondent: Ma'am, I'm going to tell you this: I am going to assess financial penalties against you that will make it very difficult for you to ever get out from underneath this if you do not cooperate. So, we need --
C.P.: Well, I wish to have a lawyer before anything else.
Respondent: Well, ma'am, that's not an option for you. . . .
After she reiterates her refusal to give her address, saying, "I just don't know if he knows anyone that works anywhere, and I really don't want him finding me," Russo responded: "Well, he's going to find you, ma'am. We're all going to find you. The only question is . . . how much is it going to cost you to get this done." The fact that Russo conducted the 9-minute telephone conversation before a courtroom full of people, the panel said, "demonstrated an insensitivity that is quite disturbing." Russo's response to her concerns about revealing her address "was, mildly put, quite threatening" and the "discourteous comments and lack of patience reflect adversely on his temperament to serve as a judge," the panel wrote. Russo admitted that speaking to the woman violated the judicial code, which says conversations between a judge and a party in a matter outside of a court hearing are prohibited. But Russo said his mistake was allowing the conversation to go beyond scheduling an appearance and obtaining her address, according to the filing.
The fourth piece of the complaint alleged Russo had used his position as a judge to seek favorable treatment in connection with his own child custody case. Russo has repeatedly denied the allegations that he sought special treatment. The panel found his explanations less than credible, the finding said.
https://patch.com/new-jersey/tomsriver/new-details-revealed-judge-who-told-victim-close-your-legs
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I hope he never works again.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)someone's working on that. Actually, he seemingly would have fit in just fine with those weasels Trump surrounded himself with in DC, put on SCOTUS, etc. He should be examined for other forms of corruption.
Demovictory9
(32,489 posts)raccoon
(31,131 posts)FakeNoose
(32,854 posts)The name "Chris Christie" comes to mind, but there have been several others.
Repuke judges get appointed when Repukes are in charge.
lpbk2713
(42,772 posts)Obviously this one slipped through the screening process.