Commission on Judicial Performance decides to remove California Court of Appeal justice from office
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
The Commission on Judicial Performance reported Tuesday that it has issued a decision and order removing Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division One, from office.
The commission’s determination becomes final in 30 days, subject to discretionary review by the California Supreme Court.
The commission ordered Justice Johnson removed from office for 18 acts of prejudicial misconduct, comprised of more than 40 proven allegations.
The commission found that Justice Johnson engaged in the unwanted touching of four women, engaged in conduct that would reasonably be perceived as sexual harassment of seven women
at his court, and misused the prestige of his position and demeaned his judicial office by attempting to develop personal relationships with three other women.
He also is alleged to have further demeaned his office by his offensive conduct toward a fourth woman, as well as by multiple incidents of undignified conduct – including conduct at the courthouse for the Court of Appeal – while intoxicated, and displayed poor demeanor to coworkers and made a disparaging remark about judicial colleagues.
Justice Johnson’s misconduct was aggravated by his lack of candor throughout the commission proceedings, according to the commission’s report on its action.
The commission found that Justice Johnson “testified untruthfully in many instances.”
As a result of his misconduct and his lack of candor during the course of the proceedings, the commission concluded that Justice Johnson “cannot meet the fundamental expectations of his position as a judge.”
The decision and order are available on the commission’s website.
Johnson has served as an associate justice of the Court of Appeal since Aug. 3, 2009.
He is represented by Paul S. Meyer of Costa Mesa and Reginald A. Vitek of San Diego.
The commission is composed of six public members, three judges and two lawyers. The chairperson is Hon. Michael B. Harper.
Commission members Sarah Kruer Jager and Hon. Lisa B. Lench are recused in this matter.