Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Obstruction of Justice Charge in ICE Related Case - Old News?
Back in April 2019, the US Attorney's Office in Massachusetts charged a Massachusetts District Court Judge and a court officer alleging two counts of aiding and abetting in obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. The court officer was also charged with perjury. (See press release here). At the time of this arrest, the US Attorney stated:
“The allegations in today’s indictment involve obstruction by a sitting judge, that is intentional interference with the enforcement of federal law, and that is a crime. We cannot pick and choose the federal laws we follow, or use our personal views to justify violating the law. Everyone in the justice system – not just judges, but law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and defense counsel – should be held to a higher standard. The people of Massachusetts expect that, just like they expect judges to be fair, impartial and to follow the law themselves.”
See also ABA Jrl. ( here). Other than these short-cut offenses, there were no other charges.
(esp)
Update: Aaron Leibowitz, Mass. Judge Accused of Obstructing ICE Gets Pay Restored, Law 360 (Aug. 13, 2019)
https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/whitecollarcrime_blog/2019/08/obstruction-of-justice-charge-in-ice-related-case-.html
It was pretty outrageous for the Feds to have posted an immigration officer inside a state courthouse. The feds showed no respect for the state judiciary, and yet the feds expect not only respect, but also cooperation. HARVEY SILVERGLATE, Cambridge
Posted by: Harvey A. Silverglate | Aug 14, 2019 7:03:14 AM