You know what that sweet dancing music means.
“Your rumor is correct. I have resigned from the Judicial Council effective June 30, 2011,” said Huffman in a statement to Courthouse News. “In the meantime I remain the chair of the Executive and Planning Committee.”
Justice Richard Huffman’s departure was necessary to remove a series of political lightning rods borne by the previous administration of Chief Justice George that have politically crippled the new administration.
Huffman’s departure will serve to temporarily dampen criticisms of the insular judicial council virtually controlled by his committee. We will be expecting more resignations from both the council as well as the top leadership of the AOC to demonstrate credible change.
More from MetNews
More from Courthouse News
Judicial Council Watcher 
JusticeCalifornia
April 5, 2011
JCW, how about a hint?
JusticeCalifornia
April 7, 2011
also love this video–
JCW you are truly on a creative roll
Nathaniel Woodhull
April 5, 2011
Mr. Huffman’s 14-year term on the Council is up in August. Waiting for confirmation that he is going bye-bye. Unknown if this is related to his son’s situation in SD.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 5, 2011
There’s your hint. 🙂
JusticeCalifornia
April 5, 2011
OK, I will ask. What is his son’s situation? I googled and found nothing.
Michael Paul
April 5, 2011
Beyond (maybe) being a deputy D.A. down in San Diego, I saw nothing on the wires nor much online. I’m making the assumption Richard Huffman II is Justice Huffman’s son.
courtflea
April 5, 2011
No suprise if J Huffman is gone soon from the JC, he would hate to answer to a woman/minority CJ, it must be hard enough for the old geezer to have a PJ that is a woman in his own court, not to mention he was passed over for her.
SF Whistle
April 5, 2011
JCW—
I have “trust issues” regarding breaking news here since April 1st…..I’m working hard on getting over it and thinking about starting therapy again—-so be gentle—-
Judicial Council Watcher
April 5, 2011
Tough crowd for an April fools prank.
We’ll only do that to you once a year.
lando
April 5, 2011
If J.Huffman leaves it would raise lots of questions as to the future direction of the JC. Hopefully the Executive and Planning Committee’s role will be modified and all JC members can weigh in on future memberships and what issues get presented to the Council as a whole. Thats a very modest step of course. More important , a vacancy on the Council gives the CJ an opportunity to reach out and appoint a thoughtful, intelligent Justice or Judge who is open to listening to new ideas, dissenting points of view and who has a wide variety of experience dealing with court administrative issues . The critics of the Alliance and AB 1208 claim it has been unfair to the new CJ not to give her time to right the ship. So this is the ultimate test. If J Huffman stays, it is business as usual. If the new CJ appoints yet another AOC true believer, it is business as usual. If the new CJ appoints an Alliance Director or trial Judge who has spoken out in support of democratizing the Council then I will believe the CJ is trying to work to open the branch to positive change. The ball is in her court. In the end it is sad that a Judge as bright as J Huffman became so insular that he attacked his fellow Judges that respectfully dissented from his positions as “clowns”. Not a great legacy by any means.
unionman575
February 3, 2014
“If the new CJ appoints an Alliance Director or trial Judge who has spoken out in support of democratizing the Council then I will believe the CJ is trying to work to open the branch to positive change.”
I have it all in one person for you: Judge Steve White.
😉
JusticeCalifornia
April 5, 2011
Lando, you said:
“In the end it is sad that a Judge as bright as J Huffman became so insular that he attacked his fellow Judges that respectfully dissented from his positions as “clowns”. Not a great legacy by any means.”
As I was researching Justice Huffman and tangentially his son, and read Justice Huffman’s bio, I thought the very same thing.
BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS: WATER SEEKS ITS LEVEL.
So if J. Huffman felt it necessary to support the less savory aspects of George’s administration, and attack George’s legitimate critics, that is his level.
Similarly, the new CJ has shown her level, by publicly and purposefully (knowing it will engender severe public disgust) embracing Marin County’s Kim Turner and Verna Adams, who, along with her Administrative Office of the Courts, and her AOC “investigator” (cleaner) John Judnick, have, in the middle of state audit, taken part in/justified the destruction of trial court child custody evidence at the expense of families and children.
Frankly, my dears, I don’t really give a damn who the new CJ fires/replaces, until she gets rid of those two. Period. End of story. Again, water seeks its level, and Cantil Sakauye sought out and appointed two horrifically, ethically challenged Marin pariahs who have knowingly (and, IMHO, in some instances gleefully) harmed children.
And, I am hearing stories about increased 2011 retaliation against court critics in certain ethically challenged counties, under Cantil-Sakauye’s new reign.
Newsflash. Oppression will not be tolerated.
JusticeCalifornia
April 5, 2011
P.S. But it will be documented.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 6, 2011
Two different incoming messages to JCW mention that all Apple One temps have been let go. One message indicates only two remain – both lawyers and both working as Sr. Labor Relations negotiators for the HR department. We’d like to get an idea of how many temps were let go as they worked across the AOC organization – and it also may demonstrate yet another baby step in the right direction.
versal-versal
April 6, 2011
sounds like everything at 455 Golden Gate is in disarray. Kind of like dominos and a chain reaction where all is falling apart.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 6, 2011
Congratulations to Maria Dinzeo for beating us to confirmation. 🙂
Mrs. Kramer
April 6, 2011
Does this mean that any unpublished opinion issued under the Huffman, George & McConnell Pro-SLAPP Cal Code of CCP425.19(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) and (g) will now be reversed?
Nathaniel Woodhull
April 6, 2011
Pray to your favorite deity that Mr. Huffman’s replacement is not one of the usual suspects. If the new Chief wants people to believe she is serious about opening up the process, don’t replace this “clown” with one of the usual suspects, like she did on her most recent committee assignment. How about selecting someone with impeccable credentials that hasn’t been a member of the traveling road show for the the past 15+ years. How about someone with the stature of Steve White in Sacramento? Judge White has a diverse background and is highly respected by members of the Legislature. He and Judge Gilliard are the two principle reasons the ACJ got off the ground, as HRH George, Mr. Vickrey and Mr. Huffman had a hard time marginalizing them as “clowns” or “ants on the trail.”
Show some guts and self-confidence Chief, appoint Steve White to replace the outgoing Ringmaster.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 6, 2011
Does this have to be an appellate level appointment? Can it be a judge instead of a justice?
wendy darling
April 6, 2011
An excellent recommendation.
Long live the ACJ.
Nathaniel Woodhull
April 6, 2011
He (she) who has the gold makes the rules… I can see three scenarios in which it could be done. Another appellate justice can be installed elsewhere. Better yet, elevate Steve White to the DCA (no, I am neither Steve White or his campaign chairperson)
courtflea
April 6, 2011
All great comments guys. Good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Yes it is sad that he let nearly absolute power corrupt him and get in the way of any redeeming qualities he may once have had. But I for one will be glad that he will go crawling home to San Diego, hopefully for good. Pompus, officious, egotistical, insulting, establishment, old boy white male, he has been. Payback can be hell Sir, what goes around comes around.
That said, the CJ MUST appoint a Judge to the JC that has been a vocal critic, in order to gain some credibility.
And heck do you guys really care who is on that new committee that will do nothing anyhow about the AOC…maybe that was a way for the CJ to bide her time to figure out what to do with that mess? Maybe that is the CJ’s way to ease some of these folks out like Kim Turner and others by giving them a new role: useless, yet giving the feeling of being strangely important. “Stupid is as stupid does” ..why not take advantage of that? 🙂 The CJ may have a longer view strategy going on here.
SF Whistle
April 6, 2011
The CJ’s cast of characters appointed to the “SEC” likely provides a clear vision of what will happen (not happen) with the JC…..
Her SEC contains names (Verna) that should not be anywhere near a court house and are now elevated to serve on a “prestigious committee”….
Flea—CJ George had a “longer view strategy going on here”…..a strategy that will involve years to dismantle. We can all engage in wishful thinking and hope-against-hope that the CJ will do the right thing….I have not seen any signal from her providing me any reason to believe that she has any appreciation of right / wrong….
wendy darling
April 6, 2011
The characterization of the members of the ACJ as “critics” comes from the Judicial Council and the AOC, and intended as a slur against their character. Many of us, however, view the members of the ACJ, both known and unknown, as representative of the integrity of the judicial branch as it should be, and what it might be again.
They are the “other voice” – the conscience – of the California Judiciary. And that voice should be listened to, considered, and heeded, with respect, not silenced with derision.
Judge White, in every aspect, is an excellent recommendation. Assuming, that is, he is prepared to enter the heart of the viper pit at 455 Golden Gate Avenue.
Long live the ACJ.
Mrs Kramer
April 6, 2011
Please don’t forget that there is another office located at 455 Golden Gate Avenue which has substantial control over California judiciaries. Its the Commission on Judicial Performance. Like the Executive Committee of the JC, the CJP is also chaired from the Appellate Court in San Diego. To quote from a decade old article of what appears to be a continued problem, “Judith McConnell was confirmed and sworn in yesterday as a justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal’s Div. One… DiMare called McConnell ‘a corrupt judge’ who was part of ‘a cabal of dishonest judges’—one that included three former members of her court who were sentenced to federal prison….DiMare’s charges were disputed by William Edlund, a San Francisco lawyer who led the Commission on Judicial Nominees Evaluation’s investigation when it considered McConnell for possible elevation two years ago….DiMare claimed McConnell has been investigated by the FBI and was a target of the investigation which resulted in Judges G. Dennis Adams and James Malkus being convicted of fraud and racketeering, and Judge Bruce Greer resigning and entering a guilty plea….. George accused DiMare of seeking to impose on McConnell a ‘guilt by association’ standard. The chief justice noted that he was on the high court and voted to remove Adams from office, and said McConnell—who was assistant presiding judge under Greer—had never been implicated in the scandal….Support for McConnell also came from Div. One Justice Richard Huffman, who said he had followed McConnell’s career closely. He recalled her early days on the San Diego Municipal Court, when she ‘didn’t know a criminal case from a pickup truck’ but went on to succeed through ‘enormous energy, talent, and keen intellect.’ Huffman called the corruption allegations ‘outrageous’ and ‘scurrilous.” http://www.metnews.com/articles/mcco100401.htm
SF Whistle
April 6, 2011
Mrs. Kramer—
This is really helpful stuff—-and this is a wonderful example of how useful the JCW is…
I have struggled to understand what the problem with the CJP is—I have commented a number of times on this board that the CJP is a joke…a useless dead-letter address for complaints to go and die….I have posted an invitation for anyone to explain how it happens that the CJP has not filed a single complaint in 2011….?—does this mean there are no valid complaints?
Your helpful history provides interesting proctology…..it seems clear that the malignancy ripping any credibility from the CJP is named McConnell. The fact that she is now the Chair is further testimony to the savant-esque nature of Ron George…..he has all the bases covered to demand full control. He created a system that is seamless. He set up a JC that he fully controlled and all ancillary systems that allowed him to demand loyalty from all. If a problematic Judge finds himself the subject of a complaint George has his resident sycophant chairing the CJP to put out the fire…..Our new CJ just needs to understand how useful this is for her….perhaps invite McConnell in to kneel and kiss her ring?
You really have to hand it to King George—–yeah—Flea you’re right—our new CJ needs time and a road map to understand all of the systems, weapons and evil schemes that she has inherited….give her time and she will wield them with the skill of George. She has not given any cause for any hope that she intends to change a damn thing…
Long live the ACJ—–we all need to demand better—
courtflea
April 6, 2011
Better choice of words Wendy, “the other voice”.
Ok against the grain again here, give the girl a chance ok? how long has she been in office? Rome was not built in a day. Look how long it took to get to this point with all of the changes to undo the King George regime, via the AOC Watcher and the legislature? Lets see in a couple o’ months? Hey and how many fancy dancy commitees have been put together that have had their work come to naught, after many years of work? All just done to satisfy some need to pacify the masses (interpreters, court reporters, judges, court staff, etc. etc. ) .
You guys know me, going back and forth with optimism and being totally jaded. so sorry SFW 🙂
Hey, JCW don’t you think the song “Hit the Road Jack” would be appropriate for the departure of J Huffman?? 🙂 What you say!!? woo hoo
wendy darling
April 6, 2011
I will add only this caveat: the current Chief Justice is not “new.” She has been a voting member of the Judicial Council for several years, and in that capacity she supported and endorsed the very actions that have now left the branch in disgrace.
And as for “waiting” to see what happens in a couple of months … the line staff of the AOC’s HR Division have been waiting for over five years for something to be done about the division’s director, and the equally bad assistant division director. The Chief Justice doesn’t have to have a “committee” or anything else to “do” something about mismanagement and misconduct within the AOC: those responsible for that mismanagement and misconduct all serve “at the pleasure of” the Chief Justice.
And apparently their mismanagement and misconduct pleases the Chief Justice just fine.
JusticeCalifornia
April 6, 2011
Wendy, as I understand it, the AOC HR top brass are reliable, brutal, tried and true cleaners, like Kim Turner and Verna Adams.
courtflea, there is no excuse for our new CJ’s amazing lack of judgment–putting those two anywhere near a judicial oversight position is an admission of guilt. Those 80-plus October 2010 Marin protesters and many others believe those two — and their playmates– belong in jail.
Michael Paul
April 7, 2011
That’s right, I recall that from new employee indoctrination that “We all serve at the pleasure of the chief justice” and “our boss is Ronald, not Arnold”.
If these things are not true, perhaps the Chief Justice should be sending down some alternative instructions.
JusticeCalifornia
April 6, 2011
First, I want to acknowledge a not-so-subtle change in the description of the Judicial Council’s function. We all know the old description was that the JC “set policy”. Now it says: “The 27-member body is responsible for improving the statewide administration of justice in the California courts, the largest court system in the nation.”
http://www.courts.ca.gov/policyadmin-jc.htm
I do believe this new very politically correct language will be the new mantra/excuse for why the CJ, JC, and AOC simply MUST rule the trial courts with an iron fist, and some well-placed, Big Brother, conveniently ethically challenged CEOs, like Turner, Roddy and Torre.
The above referenced portion of the new website leads with an infomercial for CCMS. So hold your breath for a breath of fresh air; I will not.
Second, Huffman must be replaced by an appellate justice.
http://www.courts.ca.gov/4645.htm#jcmem
While I think the CJ will pick an insider (based on her predictable, increasingly aggressive, and in some cases downright insulting SEC appointments), all qualified court reformists should apply.
As so many have suggested, ALL members of the Judicial Council should offer their resignations, so the CJ is free to select those she believes will properly represent and guide the branch. (And then, we can really see who our new CJ is.)
IMHO, the mini CJ is clearing the decks to implement her own new and improved Napoleonic version of Ron George’s empire.
I really hope I am wrong. But the whispers on the trial court streets indicate I am not.
Again, I really hope I am wrong, and I welcome information indicating that I am.
SF Whistle
April 6, 2011
JC—
Are you suggesting early indications of a Napoleonic complex?—We need a court ordered evaluation to fully understand if this is possible….Is this reference to stature or aspirations…..haha
As I recall Napoleon spent some blissful last years on St Helena Island….there is inspiring history here. Some sea air and EXILE would be good for many on the JC…..
wendy darling
April 6, 2011
“Exhile” implies they can return. “Banishment” would be more appropriate.
courtflea
April 6, 2011
ok just hopin just sayin nuff said.
Luv ya all
lando
April 6, 2011
Hey friends lets not lose focus. J McConnell , pleasant as she can be, had nothing to do with the troubles San Diego went through many years ago. We need to get back on track and see that the resignation of J.Huffman from the Judicial Council is a huge positive development. Honestly we need to give the Chief credit for making this happen. J Huffman controlled a structure that he insured was undemocratic and closed. His resignation along with Mr Vickreys shows that change is in the air. The critical issue now is who replaces J Huffman. As it should be a Justice from the Court of Appeal, I can think of no one better than J Hollenhorst. J Hollenhorst is extremely bright, fair , modest and open minded. He served for years on CJA’s ethics committee helping hundreds of Judges do the right thing. He is a voice that sees the big picture which includes considering dissenting views. The Chief has a great opportunity here to break up the closed and insular culture of the Judicial Council. We shall soon see if she is willing to take that bold positive step.
versal-versal
April 6, 2011
Lando I like your analysis. However I am sorry to say that your hopes aren’t likely to be realized. The way I see it, the CJ is tossing the most glaring examples of excess under the bus to save the Judicial Council’s power. Based on her support of CCMS and her unwillingness to add an Alliance Board member to her SEC , I fear she will replace Huffman with another Justice tied to maintaining the power of those that currently sit on the Judicial Council. Look for one of those Justices who signed the recent letter denouncing AB 1208 or CCMS spokesperson Bruiniers to take Huffman’s seat.In the end all that is happening is the rearranging of deck chairs on the Titanic that now resides at 455 Golden Gate.
Mrs Kramer
April 7, 2011
Lando,
Yes. I agree. It is important to stay focused on who will chair the executive committee of the JC. It is important to stay focused on who will be the JC’s newest member. And to that end, it is also important to understand the role of the CJP for punishment or lack there of for judicial ethics violations.
Because Justice Huffman is abruptly stepping down from the JC does not mean the Good Ole Boys & Girls Club is now defunct.
Like the JC, all is not well in the Fourth District Division One Appellate Court. All is not well at the CJP. I feel confident in stating that politics and special interests are far from being removed from the helms of our judicial system at this point in time.
If I told you that I have direct evidence in my possession which may also be found in public court records that Justice Huffman and Justice McConnell have been willing participants in a malicious litigation carried out by criminal means that aids with the continuance of billions of dollars in interstate and intrastate insurer fraud on behalf of the affiliates of the US Chamber of Commerce, would you believe me?
And if I told you that the CJP also has this evidence in their possession but has refused to intercede, would you believe me? And if I told you that Chief Justice George refused to stop the duo from practicing politics from the bench in direct conflict of the law and that Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye knows this, would you believe me?
Its true. I am a whistle blower of how it became a fraudulent concept in US public health policy and CA workers’ comp policy that it had been scientifically proven the microbes (mold, bacteria, & other undesirables) that are found in water damaged buildings pose no threat to human health. Many know of the fraud but do not speak out for fear of retribution. http://freepdfhosting.com/fb25662bd7.pdf
This false concept was mass marketed to physicians and to the courts by the US Chamber of Commerce and medico-legal affiliates for the purpose of staving off liability for causation of illness and sometime even death for insurers, employers and other stakeholders of water damaged buildings.
What caused the increase in these serious illnesses and thus the increase in liability for the illnesses were changes in US construction standards in the late 70’s. While trying to promote energy efficiency we accidentally turned our air tight buildings into giant petri dishes in which microbes thrive and proliferate when water is added by leaks or floods.
I was able to remove the false concept that water damaged buildings do not harm occupants and workers from federal policy by causing a federal Government Accountability Office audit of the issue. http://freepdfhosting.com/00aac4f63d.pdf
Unfortunately, the false concept is still able to be mass marketed to private sector physicians and to US courts by the US Chamber and affiliates as a direct result of Justice Huffman and Justice McConnell. They have been practicing politics from the bench and knowingly rewarding criminal perjury in a malicious, strategic litigation by authors of the policy for the US Chamber – while knowing the continued adverse ramifications on private sector health policy and on US courts caused by their actions and the massive amounts of monies involved.
Below is a link to a one hour interview I gave while I was in San Francisco last weekend as a speaker for a labor conference in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Triangle Factory Fire. Within the interview I discuss the politics over law practiced by Justice Huffman and Justice McConnell that has aided with the continuance of insurer fraud in the billions on behalf of the affiliates of the US Chamber. http://blip.tv/file/4975029
My point in sharing this, Lando, is that Justice Huffman stepping down from the JC does not mean 455 Golden Gate Avenue has now been disinfected. To use an analogy from the mold issue, you can’t decontaminate one office and then deem an entire building cleansed.
It seems to me that 455 Golden Gate Avenue and 750 B Street in San Diego have been and continue to be perfect petri dishes for undesirables to thrive and proliferate. It seems to me that much more judicial office deep cleaning is required to restore integrity to California’s judicial system.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 7, 2011
http://www.morganhillobserver.com/Article:News/2009/03/13/New_Morgan_Hill_Courthouse_to_finally_open
An interesting sidenote: Had the politics of mold come into play in selecting those who got new courthouses or went under major renovation/remediation due to mold, the current list of new courthouses would have looked quite different. Over 15% of those 500+ buildings inherited by the JC have serious mold issues that require significant remediation or reconstruction.
SF Whistle
April 7, 2011
Morgan Hill was not the only court house—Tulare County has also been a huge problem—and another illustration of mismanagement and cover-up…
In May 1999 in Tulare County California, county officials first found out about mold in the county courthouse in this small town. The mold problem began in the late 1980s during remodeling when the windows were not sealed correctly. When it rained, water seeped in, which led to the mold growth. One of the worst areas was in one judge’s chambers where a softball-sized cluster of Stachybotrys was later found.11 In March 2000, that judge sued the county claiming that Stachybotrys made her sick with rashes, headaches and other problems. Since then about 100 other employees have also filed a lawsuit against the county, alleging that exposure to the toxic mold in the courthouse made them sick. Several of these people have developed serious lung disease.
The employees are seeking unspecified monetary damages and an injunction against the county that would force officials to close the courthouse and remove the mold. These employees are claiming that exposure to the toxic mold Stachybotrys has caused rashes, headaches, breathing problems and memory loss. An additional 150 workers have filed claims against the county and 52 county employees are still on medical leave, which has forced some departments to close early and some judges to work at times without clerks. The president of the Tulare County Deputy Attorneys Association said the county could have avoided these lawsuits if officials would have closed the courthouse and cleaned up the mold when it was first reported.
Wendy Darling
February 3, 2014
455 Golden Gate Avenue and the AOC have known about the existing mold problems in these courthouses for years. Internally, the response was pretty much: So what if the employees get sick? We have other priorities.
Long live the ACJ.
sharonkramer
February 3, 2014
Wendy, “other priorities” — Right. Like having Huffman and McConnell fix a SLAPP suit over a writing of how it became a fraud in policy that moldy buildings do not cause serious harm, to cast doubt on the fraud exposed in the writing.
Bye-Bye workers’s comp liability for those court workers injured by the moldy courthouses, whose illnesses “could not be” caused by the moldy courthouses.
Brave New Films “Who ever said California is an environmental leader, hasn’t see this”.
http://www.bravenewfilms.org/toxichomes
JCW, thank you for letting me rant!
David A
April 7, 2011
Regarding comment about situation with Justice Huffman’s son, Richard D. Huffman, II, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego: Apparently that “news” is old, dating back to 2004 and a DUI incident. Here’s the URL: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2005/aug/11/his-eyes-were-red-and-glassy/
and an excerpt from same:
“Shortly after midnight on April 25, 2004, Richard Dennis Huffman, 45, was stopped on Gilman Drive in La Jolla by California Highway Patrol officer G. Mendes. Huffman is a deputy district attorney for San Diego County. Two preliminary alcohol-screening-device tests indicated he had blood alcohol levels of .135 percent and .137 percent. Huffman was arrested and, at a highway patrol office shortly afterward, two breath tests showed his blood alcohol levels to be .09 percent and .10 percent. (The legal limit is .08 percent.) Officer Mendes wrote in his report of the incident: “I recommend that a copy of this report and other related documents be forwarded to the San Diego City Attorney’s office for prosecution of Huffman” on drunk driving charges.
Yet the accused was released into his father’s care only an hour later, at 2:05 a.m. Mary Prévost wonders why it was Justice Huffman who went to pick up his son. “Wouldn’t a 45-year-old man living on his own,” she asks, “have his girlfriend or one of his friends come to get him? And how often does anyone arrested for drunk driving receive the ‘cite and release’ treatment immediately after arrest?” … On October 18, 2004, the court backed off charging the younger Huffman with the strict offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and allowed him to plead to a lesser offense. The decision occurred after assistant city attorney Tracy Rogers had completed and signed a “Declaration in Support of Reducing Charges.” As reasons for her action, Rogers checked the box on the form called “Problems of Proof.” She then checked the following subsections of the box: “No observed erratic driving or defendant not observed driving…; No impairment shown by field coordination tests; Low blood-alcohol level when tested or evidence of rising blood alcohol level.”
But arresting officer Mendes’s report paints a different picture. Huffman was driving his motorcycle 80 miles per hour when Mendes first spotted him. To catch the suspect, he had to increase the speed of his patrol car to 85 miles per hour on Gilman Drive. After pulling Huffman over and “while speaking with [him],” Mendes writes, “I could smell the odor of an alcoholic beverage on his exhaled breath. I also noticed that his eyes were red and glassy and he was unsteady on his feet…. As Huffman continued his conversation with me, I noted that his speech was thick and slurred.”
Judicial Council Watcher
April 7, 2011
Gee, no special treatment or two ton pachyderm decisons in that article.
Thanks David A and welcome to Judicial Council Watcher!
Mrs Kramer
April 7, 2011
The Fourth District Division One Appellate Court is beautiful after its recent remodel. Very sleak. It has much light wood, oppulent light fixtures and a mosaic marble inlay in the entry way flooring.
Although the courtroom itself is not ornate and there is no holy water at its entrance, it has an eery feel of resembling more of a modern church with pews and an alter rather than a court of law. Here are some pictures:
http://california.construction.com/california_construction_news/2010/0225_SDAppellateCourt.asp
But back to the point of Justice Huffman abruptly stepping down from the JC. It can only be seen as a step in the right direction. And who knows what all went on behind the scenes that caused this abrupt departure. From what I have witnessed, we are currently in serious trouble in our judicial system far beyond $1.9B in waste for a computer system.
Let’s hope the new Chief Justice has the desire, integrity, strength and tenacity to really turn things around to mold justice and equality for the people of California. http://katysexposure.wordpress.com/2010/07/22/governor-schwarzenegger-picks-tani-cantil-sakauye-as-ca-chief-justice-will-she-mold-justice-for-the-people-of-california/
It is encouraging to know that there are people like you all on the inside, watching.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 7, 2011
I added a new article from MetNews at the bottom of the post. In that article, Mr. Huffman tells Staff Writer Sherri Okamoto “There is no mass exodus lined up.”
We’re aware of that Mr. Huffman. Because there is no mass exodus lined up, we were founded to identify the perps in your scheme and cause ever-increasing scrutiny to be placed upon them until they move along or are indicted.
We’re aware that no one wishes to walk and everyone wanted to retain their cushy mismanagement jobs. This is why the Judicial Council and the AOC are coming under increasing scrutiny from the state legislature, the press, the ACJ and now your own beloved California Judges Association.
antonatrail
April 8, 2011
“… until they move along or are indicted.” I hope that doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. Until the statute of limitations (if any there are) runs out on misappropriation of public funds and malfeasance in office, just for starters, this citizen ant is still hoping for indictments. Is there no one who can prosecute those mischief-makers in the AOC?
Judicial Council Watcher
April 8, 2011
It isn’t necessarily mutually exclusive. Unfortunately stupidity and mismanagement is not a crime. It is a reason to ease on down the road though.
SF Whistle
April 8, 2011
Sherri Okamoto’s article does NOT provide any information providing any hope that CJ mini has any thought of change—We see praise for Huffman rather than any statement that things will head in a new direction. The fact that Huffman has been the poster boy for opposition of AB 1208 and CJ mini praises him speaks volumes—-
………”Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye yesterday issued a statement praising Huffman for having served the council “with wisdom, grace, and good humor” and having “made many valuable contributions to the administration of justice.”……
I hope that no one is holding their breath waiting for his replacement to be anyone other than another thug—–there will not be an ACJ member appointed–
Judicial Council Watcher
April 8, 2011
The press release over on courts.ca.gov didn’t leave much to look forward to either. If she pretends hard enough, all the big bad problems will go away.
Mrs. Kramer
April 8, 2011
UPDATE ON THE HUFFMAN, MCCONNELL, GEORGE Pro-SLAPP Law 425.19(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g) Now Introducing Item (h)!
425.19(h) states, “a citizen of California can be gagged from republishing sentences which they never published in the first place if it helps to cover up that Huffman, McConnell and George were willing participants in a malicious litigation carried out by criminal means that aids interstate insurer unfair advantage in litigation and claims handling practices in the billions by the friends of the trio and the US Chamber of Commerce.”
(Actually I think this newest judge is a very nice man, who does not understand the situation….while he ruins my life and aids a fraud in health policy to continue!)
But, not kidding. Besides six Fourth District Division Appellate Court justices turing a blind eye the irrefutable evidence that a US Chamber medico-legal author, committed perjury to establish needed reason for purported malice while strategically litigating over the first public writing (mine) of how the US Chamber got their fingers into US & CA health policy over the mold issue; and his attorney willfully suborned the perjury right up thru his appellate brief submitted to the courts in Sept of 2009, with Huffman, Benke and Irion pretending they were never provided direct evidence it was criminal perjury and suborning of perjury; or that they were also evidenced McConnell, Aaron, and McDonald did the same thing when denying the anti-SLAPP,
NOW the courts have issued an injunctive relief that I be gagged from “republishing” a sentence I never published in the first place. And the US Chamber author has to give me $5000 not to do something I couldn’t do even if I wanted to. (you can’t “republish” a sentence you have never published before).
New temporary injunctive relief:
“..the Court believes it is proper to enjoin the defendant from republishing the statement that has been determined at trial to be defamatory. That statement is: XXXXX’ See Kelman Decl., Exhibit B [Judgment dated 9/24/08 in GIN044539] …Finally, the Court must require an undertaking if the preliminary injunction is grnted. CCP 529. The Court believes that an undertaking in the amount of $5000 is reasonable in this case.”
(I can’t write the sentence in the Order that I have never written before because once I do, I can never “republish” it without violating this bizarre order. So I am going to save it for my premiere publishing somewhere that it really counts.) Not only did they just gag me from republishing a sentence I have never published, there is NO Decl of Kelman, Exhibit B that contains the never published sentence I am gaged from republishing.
So in its new entirety: CCP 425.19
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! The Chair of California Commission, Judicial Performance (CJP) Justice Judith McConnell & the ex-Chair Of Executive Committee, Judicial Council (JC) Justice Richard Huffman, Jointly Establish The Enactment Of New California Pro-SLAPP Law Provision CCP 425.19(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h), Approved By California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George, January 2007 and ratified by him, December 2010.
Code of Civil Procedures, CCP. 425.19 finds that too many California citizens are using the Internet to glean and share information of corruption, waste, abuse, fraud and ineptitude of the governing bodies of the California judicial system that are advantageous to the financial interests of affiliates of the US Chamber of Commerce and adverse to the public’s best interest. As such, to stop truth that stops injustice in the courts, the inner circles of said governing bodies find and enact,
(a.) should the need arise to strategically litigate against the public’s best interest and if one writes medico-legal policy for the US Chamber of Commerce and/or the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) that aids intrastate and interstate unfair advantage in insurer claims handling practices and of which the Regents of the University of California profit when their employees testify as expert witnesses for the insurance industry in toxic torts, primarily claims of worker, tenant and homeowner injury from exposure to microbes found in poorly constructed and/or poorly maintained buildings; these US Chamber/ACOEM policy authors and their (illegal) legal counsel shall be permitted by the courts to use criminal perjury and suborning of criminal perjury to establish false reason for a defendant’s malice while strategically litigating; and
(b.) if a California citizen writes of the fraud of science and marketing behind the policy established by the US Chamber and/or ACOEM and of which the Regents of the University of California profit, the courts shall be permitted to deem the citizen to be a “malicious liar” with no evidence required to substantiate their words are a lie and/or malicious; and
(c.) the courts may use state funded web sites such as the appellate courts’, to maliciously character assassinate the citizen by deeming them to be a “cyberstalker” while knowing this fallacy was established by false hearsay documents that somehow, got in a jury room and caused a verdict for the US Chamber/ACOEM authors;
(side note to CCP 425.19, see:
1.) Fourth District Division One Appellate Court website, October 14, 2010, amendment to opinion putting the “cyberstalker” slur on the government funded website: http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=41&doc_id=1385769&doc_no=D054496
2.) See Amended Opinion; Declaration of Juror #5, Attorney Shelby Stuntz; Dec of Trial Attorney, Lincoln Bandlow, etc. stating somehow docs not in trial mysteriously went to the jury with “cyberstalker” slur that caused the verdict at: http://freepdfhosting.com/e025ff30d3.pdf
3.) See CA Supreme Court, Ron George, being informed that Huffman, Benke and Irion added new and false argument in their Amended Opinion so they could get that “cyberstalker” slur on the Fourth District’s website, pdf page 18: http://freepdfhosting.com/b8365e1ddb.pdf)
Back to CCP 425.19
(d.) if the citizen attempts to bring it to the attention of the legislature or to public light that the Chairs of the CJP & JC have jointly established Pro-SLAPP CCP 425.19 with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court’s approval, then upon motion by the criminal perjury committing US Chamber/ACOEM policy authors, lower courts are encouraged to be used to issue injunctive relief motions to gag the citizen from writing of the existence of CCP 425.19, how it came to be, who was involved and how it aids with the continuance of interstate and intrastate insurer fraud in the billions on behalf of US Chamber affiliates, while the Regents of the University of California continue to profit off the backs of the sick, injured and deceased; and
(e.) CCP 425.19 is only to be used in unpublished opinions and only by affiliates of the US Chamber of Commerce and/or affiliates of Justices McConnell, Huffman and retired Chief Justice George; and
(f.) this amendment to the California Anti-SLAPP laws shall be known as the “SLAPP EACH OTHER ON THE BACK WHILE WE SCREW THE PUBLIC AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT” addendum or in short title, the “JUDICIAL CORRUPTION WHISTLEBLOWER RETRIBUTION” act.
(g) CCP 425.19 (a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) are never to be applied in conjunction with Judicial Ethics Canon 3.(D)(1)which states, “Whenever a judge has reliable information that another judge has violated any provision of the Code of Judicial Ethics, the judge shall take or initiate appropriate corrective action, which may include reporting the violation to the appropriate authority”
(h) a citizen of California can be gagged from “republishing” sentences which they never published in the first place if it helps to cover up that Huffman, McConnell and George were willing participants in a malicious litigation carried out by criminal means that aids interstate insurer unfair advantage in litigation and claims handling practices in the billions by the friends of the trio and the US Chamber of Commerce.
Can tell you this, am not gagged from writing:
“Dr. Bruce Kelman of GlobalTox,Inc, a Washington based environmental risk management company, testified as an expert witness for the defense, as he does in mold cases throughout the country. He admitted the Manhattan Institute, a national political think-tank, paid GlobalTox $40,000 to write a position paper regarding the potential health risks of toxic mold exposure. Although much medical research finds otherwise, the controversial piece claims that it is not plausible the types of illnesses experienced by the Haynes family and reported by thousands from across the US, could be caused by “toxic mold” exposure in homes, schools or office buildings.
In 2003, with the involvement of the US Chamber of Commerce and ex-developer, US Congressman Gary Miller (R-CA), the GlobalTox paper was disseminated to the real estate, mortgage and building industries’associations. A version of the Manhattan Institute commissioned piece may also be found as a position statement on the website of a United States medical policy-writing body, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.”
Or gagged from writing this of the ramifications of what Huffman and McConnell KNOW they have done by being willing participants in a malicious litigation.
“When this Reviewing Court acknowledges what legally cannot be denied: Kramer’s overwhelming, uncontroverted and irrefutable evidence that seven judges and justices ignored Kramer’s overwhelming, uncontroverted and irrefutable evidence of Kelman’s perjury on the issue of malice and ignored Kramer’s vast evidence of Scheuer’s willful suborning of Kelman’s criminal perjury; then seven years worth of scientific fraud perpetrated on US Courts over the mold issue by the US Chamber of Commerce et al, will immediately cease by the acknowledgment that their author of their scientific fraud has no qualms about lying under oath to the courts and strategically litigating; and while their other author does not disclose he is a party to the strategic litigation.
The entire point of using criminal perjury in this strategic litigation was so the fraud of the US Chamber et al, could continue by the discrediting of the truthful words of a Whistle blower by deeming her to be a malicious liar for the mere word “altered”. Thus far, errors of the San Diego courts have inadvertently aided and abetted the US Chamber of Commerce et al,’s scientific fraud to continue on its merry way in US courts by deeming the wrong party in this strategic litigation to be the “malicious liar”.
UTTERLY AMAZING!!
Mrs. Kramer
May 31, 2011
Huffington Post: In Shift, Feds Target Top Execs For Health Fraud
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/31/feds-target-execs-health-fraud_n_868924.html
“To our way of thinking, the men and women in the corporate suite aren’t getting it,” Morris continued. “If writing a check for $200 million isn’t enough to have a company change its ways, then maybe we have got to have the individuals who are responsible for this held accountable. The behavior of a company starts at the top.”
WatchingCourt
June 8, 2011
Ms. Kramer and Judicial Council Watcher are correct about Justice Huffman and Justice McConnell. I retired as a San Diego Judge last year. It was under pressure after Justice McConnell filed a complaint about me on to the Commission on Judicial Performance. I did nothing illegal but they had me on some technical stuff that was taken out of context. In any event, the CJP (who reports to the Judicial Council /AOC) gave me scorched earth treatment. Note: I became the FIRST WHISTLEBLOWER judge in U.S. History. I filed a Writ of Mandate in the Appellate Court seeking an order to require that my fellow San Diego Judges follow MANDATORY Domestic Violence Laws. DDA Richard Huffman (who has more than one DUI arrest) was a big thorn in my side and known to give preferential treatment and complain about how I was a stickler for following the law on DV and DUI cases. So…his father was the same Justice who denied my Writ, saying I should take it up internally.. Hello!! I had done so for many many years and it got me and the public nowhere. His son was a key problem that i mentioned in my lawsuit. So Justice Huffman should have recused himself and so should Justice McConnell since she initiated the investigation into me. So…stay tuned for more details…book is being written (and my proof is safely located in multiple locations).
Judicial Council Watcher
June 8, 2011
Cop, judge, jury, executioner. Selective. Does anyone else see anything wrong with this picture?
We do and that’s why Yen Media will be working with WatchingCourt (and other parties surrounding these issues) in the coming months
.
sharonkramer
June 8, 2011
Excellent! This SWOV while abusing judicial positions of power to bully, intimidate, reward cronies and practice politics, not law, needs to be forced to stop for the good of the people of California.
San Diego
February 3, 2014
How goes your book?
sharonkramer
February 3, 2014
Its on hold until I see how the last chapter plays out of when (not if) McConnell, Huffman, Roddy, Schall and Nugent are donned in black & white striped leisure suits with matching pill box hats.
JusticeCalifornia
June 8, 2011
how many times, in how many ways do people have to tell the same story, over and over–unbelievable really, given that the safety of children is at stake.
http://custodyscam.blogspot.com/2011/02/mediator-emily-gallup-blows-whistle.html
(Nevada County Family Court Services is ordered to undergo an audit by arbitrator)
Nahhh. . . .no audit. . . .no oversight. . . .
http://yubanet.com/regional/Emily-Gallup-I-no-longer-believe-that-the-judicial-system-is-capable-of-fixing-itself.php
And this, folks, is how activists are born. And why the legislature MUST step in.
sharonkramer
June 8, 2011
Court Watcher,
Did you know that the Commission on Judicial Performance does not answer to the AOC/JC…technically speaking? They are an independant state agency, seperate from the judicial branch, as I understand it. Their function and funding are to police corruption and ethics violations within the judicial system. The problem stems from the fact that the Commission is chaired by one of the most power hungry, political animals in the state. This justice issues opinions from the same bench as the Chair of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Council – soon to be overseer of accountability in the AOC on whatever that new committee is called.
So in essance, there is currently no policing of ethics and corruption in the judicial system, with key justices able to cover for each other by unbridled fraud in the opinions they issue; and no recourse against them even when it can be proven their actions are criminal.
Given the make-up of committees, commissions and close association of certain justices, the system of the CJP supposedly being an independant state agency offers no safeguards against collusion to defraud the public. They can retaliate against judges who expose waste, fraud and abuse. They can turn a blind eye to serious ethics violations by those who further and cover for their own agendas. Basically, when it comes to what judges need to watch their backs for retaliation and what judges are free to rape, pillage and plunder, its the Dick and Judy from San Diego Show. I know that this is not news to many who are reading this board. So why is it permitted to continue?
sharonkramer
June 8, 2011
The system appears to be so broken and employees so beaten down that very few dare use their own brains to solve problems or point you in the right direction toward a path of solution. When you go to “them” for help, sometimes they ask what you can do to help them before they can help you. Its shear insanity fueled by years of corruption among decision makers only receiving slaps on the wrist, at best.