Ex-judge gives up law license after taking plea in federal bribery case over jury verdict
Michael Maggio. Image from Arkansas Judiciary.
A former Arkansas judge who pleaded guilty earlier this year in a federal bribery case concerning his reduction of a jury award from over $5 million to $1 million has given up his license to practice law.
Michael Maggio requested in March to voluntarily surrender his license and the motion was accepted Thursday by the state supreme court, reports the Associated Press.
He admittedly cut the verdict in a nursing home negligence case, while he was a sitting Faulkner County Circuit Court judge, in exchange for an expected contribution to his planned campaign for a seat on the state appellate court bench. Sentencing in that case is scheduled in July.
Earlier, Maggio was banned from the bench due to online comments he made, including but not limited to details he leaked about an adoption by actress Charlize Theron.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Judge banned from bench due to online comments, disclosing confidential info on celebrity’s adoption”
ABAJournal.com: “Former judge pleads guilty, admits taking bribe to cut jury verdict from $5.2M to $1M”
Associated Press: “Lawsuit Against Former Circuit Judge Michael Maggio Dismissed”
