Jury Convicts Judge in Prostitution Case

Developing: A Washington state judge testified that he didn't do it, and his lawyer questioned the credibility of the alleged male prostitutes testifying against him.

But a jury has found Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Hecht guilty in a criminal case accusing him of paying men for sex and harassing an individual he suspected of spreading rumors about him, according to KIRO.

The television station reports that Hecht was convicted by a Pierce County Superior Court jury today of patronizing a prostitute and felony harassment. It isn't clear from the brief, breaking-news story whether the judge was convicted on some or all of the charges against him.

He has been on leave from his judicial job, which reportedly pays about $148,000 annually, since March.

Hecht is scheduled to be sentenced in November, notes KOMO.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Wash. Judge Charged in 2 Arenas Over Alleged Activities with Prostitutes"

News Tribune: "Judge Hecht's biggest trial begins today"

Seattle Weekly: "Tacoma Judge Michael Hecht Denies Soliciting Young Male Prostitutes, Creeps Out Jury"