The Commission on Judicial Performance did accept a deal. They issued a press release and decision. The deal meant Kreis got rid of the cocaine allegations referred to by his ex wife and Joanne Carter. He had been mentioning that last month before he left to go on the one month vacation and resign.The count mentioning former court clerk Lois Casacca talking about him and his fiancee Tanya Ellis is also gone. Convenient for a lot of people who would have to testify. Kreis admitted to 17 out of 21 counts.
I have never seen such strong wording before by the CJP. Kreis admitted the charges in the stipulation. Can't claim innocence now. It is the same as pleading guilty. He settled with Rory Kalin. He is settling now. All that bravado by Kreis and his lawyer, James Murphy, who were quoted nationally when the allegations came out.
Kreis' lawyer can now add to his resume that two judges he recently represented are no longer on the bench and removed in disgrace. Shasta County's Tony Mallery was the other judge removed. The CJP making sure that Kreis is never a judge a part of the stipulation speaks volumes.
You dont settle and you dont admit to charges unless you know the evidence can convict you and you face more serious consequences.
I knew Humboldt Superior Court would probably issue a press release today. I already reported that Ms. April Van Dyke has submitted an application to Governor Gavin Newsom to be appointed interim and take over the vacancy created by Kreis.
I reported on a deal several times. This is just one more official confirmation of what I have reported and scooped. I was the only one to consistently report on Kreis' conflicts of interest with David Nims, Patrik Griego, what I call the Janssen Malloy special court deals, the only one to cover the Ben Erickson case, the only one to say he was being investigated by the CJP in 2020 and all this was confirmed later. Real investigative, watchdog journalism is even more necessary now because most media, especially what used to be considered "mainstream" is dwindling.
When you read personal, unsubstantiated attacks online against me by anons, they do include lawyers and courthouse insiders. And they always follow days of reporting valid information to the public such as the injustice and abuse of power emanating from 825 5th street.
All this because I wrote in real time about what the CJP confirmed in the notice of formal proceedings and this stipulation. This stipulation does not cover so many instances of Kreis' abuse of power.
Has Kreis learned his lesson? His words and actions until the very last day he was at the Courthouse before he left for vacation indicate he has not; will he retaliate and plot revenge?
CJP Press Release:
The Commission on Judicial Performance has issued a decision and order imposing a public censure and bar upon Judge Gregory J. Kreis of the California Superior Court, County of Humboldt, pursuant to stipulation. The decision and order resolved the pending formal proceedings involving Judge Kreis. Judge Kreis stipulated to an imposition of a public censure; an irrevocable resignation from office, effective May 27, 2024; and an agreement not to serve as a judicial officer in the State of California at any time after May 27, 2024. A public censure and bar is the most severe sanction that the commission may issue to a judge who has resigned or retired. The commission issued a censure and bar to Judge Kreis as a result of multiple acts of misconduct. In at least 44 cases over which he presided, Judge Kreis failed to disclose his relationships with seven attorneys; his familiarity with individuals involved in matters before him; or the extent of his relationships with the individuals. The extent and type of this misconduct is serious. Also, the commission commented that it took particularly seriously the judge’s sexual misconduct with a female acquaintance. Further, the commission based the censure and bar on Judge Kreis’s conduct in treating attorneys and litigants poorly, including making inappropriate, sarcastic, and gratuitous comments to them. Judge Kreis’s misconduct was aggravated by prior discipline. In 2018, the commission issued an advisory letter to Judge Kreis for intemperate and inappropriate remarks he made about a criminal defendant during a sentencing hearing. The commission’s Decision and Order is available on the commission’s website at https://cjp.ca.gov (under “Pending Cases - Press Releases & Documents” and “Public Discipline & Decisions”). Judge Kreis is represented by James A. Murphy, Esq. and Christopher R. Ulrich, Esq. of Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney of San Francisco.
CJP Decision:
"This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Gregory J. Kreis, a judge of the Humbolt County Superior Court. On February 2, 2024, the commission filed its Notice of Formal Proceedings against Judge Kreis. Judge Kreis and his counsel, James A. Murphy, Esq. of Murphy Pearson Bradley & Feeney, P.C., have entered into a stipulation with the examiner for the Commission on Judicial Performance, Mark A. Lizarraga, Esq., pursuant to commission rule 127, to resolve the pending formal proceedings involving Judge Kreis by imposition of a public censure; an irrevocable resignation from office, effective May 27, 2024; and an agreement that Judge Kreis will not seek or hold judicial office, accept a position or an assignment as a judicial officer, subordinate judicial officer, or judge pro tem with any court in the State of California, or accept a reference of work from any California state court, at any time after May 27, 2024. The Stipulation for Discipline by Consent (Stipulation) was approved by the commission on May 15, 2024, pursuant to the following terms and conditions and stipulated facts and legal conclusions. A copy of the Stipulation is attached. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF AGREEMENT 1. This agreement resolves the matters alleged in the Inquiry Concerning Judge Gregory J. Kreis, No. 209. 2. The commission shall issue a public censure and bar based on the agreed Stipulated Facts and Legal Conclusions set forth herein"
There are several pages and I am not uploading all of them. You can read them on the CJP website. There are some more details. This is the last page on a lengthy document.
Humboldt Superior Court Press Release:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.