Legal Ethics
Judge Threatens Sanctions Over Lawyer’s Retirement Inquiry
Posted Aug 28, 2008, 05:59 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
A Los Angeles judge who lost a $21 million lawsuit for injuries suffered in an escalator fall has threatened a lawyer with contempt for asking him to address rumors that he would retire from the bench.
U.S. District Judge George Schiavelli didn’t answer the question and threatened criminal defense lawyer Rex Beaber with contempt, the Daily Journal reports (sub. req.).
"What rule did you rely on for your motion?" Schiavelli said. "Before I impose sanctions, specify a rule that demands a judge reveal personal and private information."
Beaber had sought the information because a deal with prosecutors allows a money laundering trial for his client to start early if prosecutors don’t call a certain kind of witness, according to the story. The case will be delayed if Schiavelli leaves the bench.
Schiavelli scheduled a contempt hearing for Tuesday