Tulare County Judge Axed for Ethics Violations

A Tulare County judge has been removed from the bench after revelations that he tried to goad his clerk into in an inappropriate relationship and then lied about it under oath. The decision, handed down by the state’s Commission on Judicial Performance, brings a premature close to Superior Court Judge Valeriano Saucedo’s 14-year career.

According to the Commission, Saucedo offered the clerk $26,000 in gifts and payments in exchange for a “special” relationship. When that failed, he sent an anonymous letter accusing her of having an affair with a bailiff in order to manipulate her into a relationship with him. Saucedo then repeatedly lied about it during an ensuing investigation.

Saucedo’s actions were “deceitful, calculated and unseemly,” the Commission wrote in its 60-page conclusion. His removal becomes final 30 days from the decision unless he files a petition for an appeal.

The removal of a judge from office is extremely rare. Only 6 judges have gotten the boot since 2005.

Read more about the decision here.