State appellate justice in LA accused of groping and sexually harassing colleagues
A state watchdog agency that investigates and disciplines California judges has charged an appellate justice in Los Angeles with nine counts of sexual harassment and misconduct, including an allegation that he squeezed the breasts of another jurist.
The 17-page complaint filed Jan. 4 by the Commission on Judicial Performance accuses Second District Court of Appeal Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson of violating the judicial code of ethics by touching and speaking to co-workers in a sexually charged manner.
Johnson’s attorney, Paul Meyer of Costa Mesa, on Monday denied accusations against the veteran jurist, who he said passed forensic lie detector tests. Meyer added he would present written documents from the alleged victims that contradict their accusations.
“Justice Johnson looks forward to a fair and careful review of the facts,” Meyer said.
If the charges are upheld, Johnson — a 58-year-old former federal magistrate who was appointed to the state appellate court in 2009 — could be removed, censured or otherwise disciplined.
According to the complaint, the alleged misconduct began the year after he was sworn onto the appellate bench. In one case, the complaint said, he and a female justice were discussing a difficult hearing over which she had presided.
Although the complaint identifies the jurist, the Southern California News Group does not name sexual assault victims.
“You told Justice (name withheld), ‘Well, I should kiss and squeeze your (breasts) to make you feel better,’ or words to that effect. You then squeezed one of her breasts,” the complaint charged.
The complaint adds that Johnson repeatedly hugged the female justice over the next few years and put his hand on her breasts. He later told the justice that his actions could not be considered sexual harassment because they were judicial equals, the complaint said.
The document includes complaints from Johnson’s female California Highway Patrol bodyguards, attorneys at the Second District appellate court and other legal workers that he allegedly made sexual comments, often while inebriated and sometimes while discussing his marriage.
“You engaged in a pattern of poor demeanor towards colleagues and court employees,” the document said.
In one case, Johnson is accused of telling his CHP bodyguard and driver that he wanted to see her without clothes and then described performing a sexual act on her. On another occasion, he is charged with putting his hand on her thigh while she drove. Johnson allegedly acted in an “unwelcome, undignified, discourteous, and offensive” manner, in violation of the judicial code of ethics, the complaint said.
A hearing will be conducted by special masters appointed by the California Supreme Court. Commission staff attorney Emma Bradford will serve as examiner for the commission. At the conclusion of the hearing, the special masters will submit a report to the commission, which will then decide whether to discipline Johnson. That decision could be subject to review by the Supreme Court.