SAN FRANCISCO (Courthouse News) – A prominent judge in Los Angeles on Monday called in the clearest terms yet for the departure of the head of California’s powerful court administrative agency William Vickrey, in the wake of a deepening scandal over its billion-dollar deal with a private consultant for the development of a troubled technical system. In a 6-page letter, Judge Stephen Czuleger questioned the honesty and competence of the agency run by Vickrey and accused it of running a double set of books.
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Dear readers,
If the allegations being made to me have merit, CCMS isn’t the only program operating off of two sets of books. How many more judges are going to come forward and call for a change of leadership so that the judicial branch may begin to get its house in order? If anyone needs a slap of reality to assist them, look towards Sacramento. If the judicial branch cannot get its house in order itself, it will have order imposed upon it via the purse strings.
Judicial Council Watcher 
wendy darling
February 16, 2011
Many people agree with Judge Stephen Czuleger that the courts need a unified computer system, nor do they want, or have ever wanted, to see CCMS “fail”. Many more also agree that CCMS, as originally conceived, was based on good intententions. But as the saying goes (put politely), the road to Dante’s inferno is paved with good intentions. Judge Czuleger tried many many times over the past several years to internally raise legitimate concerns regardng the readily apparent problems with the management and administration involving the AOC in many areas, including the CCMS project, all of which were substantiated by the audit. The response by the Judicial Council to Judge Czuleger, as well as many other trial court judges, court administrative officers, AOC employees, and others, was and is to personally attack them, make disparaging statements to others in an attempt to discredit them, accuse them of hidden agendas or being some kind of fringe element trying to twart the judicial branch, and other inappropriate responses. The attacks on Judge Czuleger were and continue to be especially viscious, as well as unwarranted.
As was apparently raised yesterday at the hearing in Sacramento, perhaps if the AOC, the Judicial Council, and the Office of the Chief Justice had listened to Judge Czuleger, Judge White, Judge Lampe, Judge Goldstein, among other judges, court administrators, AOC employees, and others, instead of so visciously attacking them, this mess could have been avoided.
Vickrey and the AOC now profess that they “intend” to comply with the recommendations of the BSA audit. As Assemblywoman Lowenthal has indicated, it is no longer realistic to take the AOC’s word for it, especially given the AOC’s track record of their “intentions.” The Judicial Council and the AOC no longer have any credibility, and given their gross violation of the Pubic Trust, are not entitled to any. And neither is the new Chief Justice as long as she approves, accepts and condones Vickrey, Overholt, and others responsible for this mismanagement continuing in their public position.
And let us not forget that just weeks before the release of the BSA audit report, and knowing full well what was coming, the Judicial Council approved yet more raises for the executive and management ranks of the AOC. Judge Czuleger is right – the AOC and the Judicial Council just don’t get it. And neither apparently does the new Chief Justice.
wendy darling
February 16, 2011
For those of us that couldn’t be there, video of the hearing yesterday in Sacramento is now available on the Cal Channel.
SF Whistle
February 16, 2011
People in California have very short memories—-1986 was NOT a good year for the California Supreme Court–
Chief Justice Rose Bird was the first woman to occupy the office—also the ONLY CJ to be removed by the voters—-she was known far and wide for her poor administrative skills and her willful bias and total disregard of the law….
The second woman to occupy the office needs to reflect upon the fact that she inherited a troubled branch—-she is doing no one a favor retaining all those that have been a part of the problems—It’s time for her to show leadership and clean house–
JusticeCalifornia
February 16, 2011
–because her turn-tail-and-ran predecessor didn’t.
JusticeCalifornia
February 16, 2011
Judge Stephen Czuleger’s actions in years past as expressed in his letter are an example of what those in the branch — and especially those entrusted with leadership positions — should be doing.
The letter is wonderful. Thank you.
What we have seen from the very top CA Courts leadership in defiant response to the CCMS issues and state audit, and from Marin Presiding Judge Boren and Court Executive Officer/Judicial Councilmember Kim Turner in defiant response to the Marin family court issues and state audit, is a distinct and failed M.O. that is taking the branch down, and undermining public, internal, and external trust and confidence in the branch.
We need new leadership. Justice Cantil-Sakauye, the time is now. Step up to the plate and do your job.
Lando
February 16, 2011
Thanks Judge Czuleger for setting forth Your very cogent warnings about CCMS. Every Judge and court administrator should see the letter You sent to Justice Bruiniers as it articulates in a historical way the same problems that the State Auditor identified. Its now time for our new CJ to step up and hold the AOC accountable for this sad mess. I would also respectfully suggest that Justice Bruiniers resign as the AOC designated chair of the CCMS project. How ironic is it that the very person who spoke against a State Audit of CCMS is now in charge of responding to that audit and making claims that “all is well”.