Judge Parkin ran a mysterious slush fund
A few years ago, there was a scandal downtown at the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse when it was revealed that Judge Parkin was presiding not just over the "court" - but a secret slush fund of questionable origins - to be facilitated for dubious purposes.
When a couple of news outlets conducted an investigation, Judge Parkin - the Presiding Judge over the Los Angeles Superior court - was nonplussed.
"It's a fund for coffee and flowers."
Because the "fund" was considerable (over a hundred-thousand dollars) the dubious practice raised eyebrows and caused many to wonder if Judges were on "the take" and - just maybe - ripe for graft.
Could a savvy attorney or litigant in an action sway the court their way with a contribution to a "slush" fund?
Well, no matter, now.
An Appellate Court just issued a ruling that compensation for Judges - outside of the peremiters of the pay scale provided by the State - is illegal.
Because the Constitution requires that the Legislature decide judicial compensation, the Higher Court found as follows.
"The practice of the county of Los Angeles providing...Superior Court Judges with employment benefits, in addition to compensation prescribed by the legislature, is not permissable," associate Justice Patricia Benke wrote in her 37-page Opinion from the bench.
In spite of the fact the Legislature enacted a law in 1998 giving it sole jurisdiction (for obvious reasons) in determining Judge's compensation, the county persisted in providing at least $120 million (!) in taxpayer-funded perks according to Judicial Watch.
The Washington (D.C.) based organization monitors corruption, incompetence and willful neglect of the law in the judicial system.
In fact, Judicial Watch instigated proceedings against the County over questionable perks, which prompted the ruling by the Appellate Court this past week.
Initially, a lower-court ruled in favor of the county (go figure!) but the finding was reversed on appeal.
Judicial Watchdog were elated at the outcome.
"This represents a tremendous victory for the taxpayers and citizens of California."
Now, if Judicial Watch would only turn their eagle eye towards San Francisco, and the cushy confines of "The Commission on Judicial Performance" - where a handful of disreputable individuals vested with the power to discipline corrupt inept Judges - constantly look the other way.
Yes, the "Commission" needs purging, too.
Once their house is cleaned, maybe a handful of dishonest bench-warmers will be tossed out on their sorry a**es.
Until then, their disreputable conduct will continue to mar the integrity of the court, and cast a disgraceful shadow on the Judiciary.
Is Judicial Watch up to the task?
Losers at "Commission on Judicial Performance" in San Francisc
