Justice Arthur Scotland: Federal Crimes Alleged by Sacramento Superior Court Whistleblowers - 18-page Catalog

Arthur Scotland criminal allegations catalog at issuu.

• Read more about controversial 3rd District Court of Appeal Justice Arthur G. Scotland. 
• Read more about the controversial 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.

Read our Special Report: Sacramento County Family Court Operates as RICO Racketeering Enterprise, Charge Whistleblowers.

Sacramento Superior Court, California Judicial Branch Generate Controversy in 2016: Year in Review

Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye obstructs
State Bar reform.

Commission on Judicial Performance sues State Auditor to restrict
audit of the judge oversight agency. 

Commission on Judicial Performance whistleblower and court
watchdog Joe Sweeney jailed in alleged retaliation scheme. 

State Auditor Elaine Howle asserts authority over Commission on Judicial
Performance in CJP's bad faith litigation to restrict audit of the agency. 

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Jaime Roman prosecuted and
punished for judicial misconduct by the Commission on
Judicial Performance. 

Alameda County Superior Court Commissioner Taylor Culver
resigns to avoid prosecution for judge misconduct.

Commission on Judicial Performance Chairman Anthony
Capozzi faces criminal investigation. 

Santa Clara County Judge Aaron Persky cleared of wrongdoing in
Brock Turner sexual assault case. 

Read our Special Report: Sacramento County Family Court Operates as RICO Racketeering Enterprise, Charge Whistleblowers.

Sacramento Superior Court Corruption Victims Take Advocacy to State Level at Commission on Judicial Performance

Sacramento County Superior Court whistleblowers this year have expanded their ranks, joined forces with similar groups in other counties, and taken their court reform campaign to the state level, according to Fatima Katumbusi, a group spokesperson. 

"Our local watchdogs have teamed up with the Center for Judicial Excellence, Court Reform LLC, the Commission on Judicial Performance Reform Project and other groups," Katumbusi explained. "We have testified at the State Assembly, raised awareness about court corruption at the Super Bowl, and engaged on social media. Mainstream media, including the Sacramento Bee, Daily Journal and San Francisco Chronicle have reported on several of our issues, and published opinion columns by people in our group," she added.

Yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle published an op-ed criticizing secrecy at the state Commission on Judicial Performance, the government agency responsible for oversight and accountability of judges. The piece was authored by two court reform advocates, one of whom is a victim of alleged corruption in the family law division of Sacramento Superior Court.  

Sacramento Superior Court Watchdog Group Calls on Presiding Judge Kevin Culhane to Rectify Improper Judge-Clerk Relationship

Kern County Judge Cory Woodward was punished by the Commission on Judicial Performance for having an improper personal relationship with his courtroom clerk. Sacramento County Judge Matthew Gary reportedly has had a similar relationship with his courtroom clerk, Christina Arcuri, for at least four years. 

"[I]t is time for this charade to end." 

Sacramento Family Court Corruption, a Facebook watchdog group with over 600 followers, has issued an open letter to Sacramento County Presiding Judge Kevin Culhane regarding an alleged improper relationship between a Sacramento Superior Court judge and his courtroom clerk. 

The whistleblower group alleges that Judge Matthew Gary has been in a consensual, personal relationship with his clerk, Christina Arcuri for more than five years. Both Gary and Arcuri also have been involved in a number of controversies involving the alleged mistreatment of indigent, disabled, and financially disadvantaged family court parties who are self-represented.

CBS News 60 Minutes Hidden Camera Records Attorney Boasting Lawyers Immune from Criminal Prosecution

“They don’t send the lawyers to jail because we run the country. We’re members of a privileged class in this country. We make the laws and when we do so we make them in a way that is advantageous to the lawyers,” attorney Marc Koplik explains on hidden video in this 60 Minutes broadcast clip.

Sacramento Superior Court reform advocates allege that a group of local divorce lawyers who also work as part-time judges have made similar claims. Whistleblowers assert that many Sacramento County judges abdicate their responsibility to enforce attorney misconduct laws, and therefore share blame for the problem.    

Attorney Ethics: Misleading Judge or Other Party Constitutes Act of Moral Turpitude

MORAL TURPITUDE WEEK: MISLEADING THE JUDGE OR OTHER PARTY An attorney who misleads the judge or the other party...
Posted by California Attorney Misconduct & Ethics on Friday, February 26, 2016

Attorney Misconduct and Ethics: Moral Turpitude - Attorneys Must Be Truthful Whether Under Oath or Not

MORAL TURPITUDE WEEK: ATTORNEYS MUST TELL THE TRUTH IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY ARE UNDER OATHWhether they are under...
Posted by California Attorney Misconduct & Ethics on Thursday, February 25, 2016

Highway Patrol Refuses to Release 911 Tape from Cyclist Death Incident Involving Judge Matthew Gary

Sacramento Bee investigative reporter Brad Branan has published a new article about the traffic fatality involving Judge Matthew Gary and cyclist Margaret Bengs. The California Highway Patrol declined a request by the paper to release the 911 recording from the incident, according to the Bee:

Peter Scheer, executive director of the First Amendment Coalition, said the CHP is not required to release the recording, but added that nothing in the law prohibits its disclosure. Given the public interest in how the CHP is handling the investigation of a judge, he said the agency should release the recording, especially since the investigation does not appear to involve criminal activity.

“Unless there’s some particular reason other than just trying to save the judge from personal embarrassment, some specific legal reason, they should be releasing it, because it is a matter of public interest,” he said. “The people will want to know if he’s getting preferential treatment.”

Gary has repeatedly declined to discuss the crash, and the CHP has said it is conducting an impartial investigation.

To read the full article at the Sacramento Bee, click here. For a list of Sacramento Family Court News articles about controversial Judge Matthew Gary, click here.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article47636890.html#storylink=cpy

Highway Patrol Admits Errors in Initial Account of Traffic Fatality Involving Judge Matthew J. Gary

A new investigative report by Sacramento Bee reporter Brad Branan has revealed that the California Highway Patrol released incorrect information about the traffic fatality involving cyclist Margaret Bengs and Sacramento Superior Court Judge Matthew Gary:

Family members and bicycle advocates say the California Highway Patrol botched key details in its investigation of a fatal bicycle crash this month involving a Sacramento Superior Court judge, deepening their skepticism about the agency’s handling of the case.

On Nov. 2, Judge Matthew Gary was driving his Toyota pickup truck on Fair Oaks Boulevard when he hit a bicycle ridden by Margaret Bengs, 66, who died the next day. Shortly after her death, a CHP spokeswoman said Bengs appeared to be at fault, in part because she was not wearing a helmet.

But a witness who stayed with her until paramedics arrived said she was wearing a helmet, and Bengs’ family says she had two helmets among her belongings at the hospital. Her relatives also note that Bengs died the day after the crash, not two days after, as the CHP had first reported. 

Anne Bengs Maffucci said her sister suffered a crushed skull, two broken arms and a shattered kidney in the crash, and was taken off life support at the family’s request.

“The CHP seems a bit negligent,” Maffucci said. “I hate to say this is a cover-up, but it seems like they are trying to slough this off like everything is OK.”

To read the full report at the Sacramento Bee, click here.  For a list of Sacramento Family Court News articles about controversial Judge Matthew Gary, click here. 

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article46790980.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article46790980.html#storylink=cpy

Sacramento Superior Court Controversy: Blame for Death of Cyclist by Judge Matthew J. Gary Spurs Debate on Reddit

Judge Matthew Gary's role in the death of Margaret Bengs has sparked a debate on the Reddit social media site.

A Sacramento Bee investigative report questioning the CHP account of a fatal traffic incident involving Judge Matthew Gary and 66-year-old cyclist Margaret Bengs has been posted to Reddit, an entertainment, social networking and news website. The article was posted to the Sacramento "subreddit," a category featuring news, information and commentary about the city. The Sacramento subreddit has over 10,000 followers.

The post generated 31 comments, some of which expressed skepticism at how the CHP has handled the investigation of the incident. "This story is so fucked up. CHP trying to blame the victim," said one commenter, whose user name is NXNW83. "[I]t's pretty obvious that they're starting by making assumptions of the guilt of the victim," NXNW83 added in a follow-up post.    

To continue reading, click Read more >> below: 

Judge Matthew J. Gary Involved in Fatal Traffic Collision with Cyclist - CHP Incident Report Questioned

Truck Driven by Judge Matthew Gary Collides with 66-year-old Female Cyclist - Inflicts Fatal Head Injuries 

UPDATE: The Sacramento Bee has published an investigative report about the questions surrounding this incident: click here. 

The California Highway Patrol has issued a press release announcing a fatal traffic incident involving Judge Matthew Gary: 

On November 2, 2015, at 8:05 am, Margaret Bengs-McReynolds (66) of Carmichael was riding a bicycle eastbound Fair Oaks Blvd., south of Kenneth Ave., and crossing the roadway from the west curb. Matthew Gary of Sacramento was driving a 2014 Toyota Tundra southbound Fair Oaks Blvd., south of Kenneth Ave. at a speed less than 35 mph.

Bengs-McReynolds failed to clear the traffic lane by lane and as she reached the two-way left turn lane, she was struck by the front of the Toyota Tundra. Bengs-McReynolds was knocked to the ground and struck her head. She was transported to Mercy San Juan Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries on November 4, 2015. Bengs-McReynolds was not wearing a helmet.

Mr. Gary was wearing his seat belt and did not sustain any injuries as a result of this collision.

A court employee whistleblower and several family court watchdogs have questioned the CHP account of the incident and suggest the press release may reflect a whitewash because of Gary's status as a superior court judge. 

To continue reading, click Read more >> below: 

Whistleblowers Blame Systemic Statewide Court Corruption on Judicial Council Chair Tani Cantil-Sakauye

Supreme Court Chief Justice Implicated in California Court Corruption Epidemic

California Judicial Branch watchdogs allege that Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye is responsible for a court corruption epidemic sweeping the state. 

Case Fixing Scandal, Racketeering Scheme, Whistleblower Retaliation Attributed to Leadership of Judicial Council Chair Tani Cantil-Sakauye 

Sacramento Family Court News has published an exhaustive, investigative report alleging that a criminal organization involving judges and local attorneys operates within the Sacramento County family law court system. The report is the latest allegation that corruption has reached epidemic levels in California courts.

Court whistleblowers and watchdogs charge that California Judicial Council Chair Tani Cantil-Sakauye has used her position to quash investigations into the alleged criminal conduct of her former coworkers in Sacramento Superior Court, and the adjacent, and troubled 3rd District Court of Appeal.

To continue reading, click Read more >> below: 

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Misconduct: Renewed Worldwide Interest in Judge Sharon Lueras Child Death Cases

International Interest in Ryder Salmen and Matthew Hernandez Deaths Remains Strong

In this KXTV Sacramento News10 broadcast about the Ryder Salmen and Matthew Hernandez deaths, reporter Gabriel Roxas credits Sacramento Family Court News for its exclusive coverage of a protest targeting Judge Sharon Lueras.

Recent readership data compiled by Sacramento Family Court News and Google Analytics indicates that worldwide interest in the Sacramento Family Court-related deaths of 8-month-old Ryder Salmen and 9-year-old Matthew Hernandez remains strong. In the past week, readers from cities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Spain, Estonia, Nigeria and other countries have all viewed articles about the case posted at SFCN. The parents and families of the victims blame Judge Sharon Lueras for the deaths. 

To continue reading, click Read more >> below...

Sacramento Court Corruption: Judge Peter McBrien, Judge Pro Tem Divorce Lawyer Charlotte Keeley Case Featured in Divorce Corp. Documentary

Click play > to watch the Divorce Corp trailer. Best viewed at full-screen setting.

The documentary Divorce Corp will be released Jan. 10, 2014

Entertainment Tonight has just released the world premiere trailer of the documentary film Divorce Corp. A scathing indictment of the divorce industry in the United States, the documentary reportedly will include the notorious Carlsson case from Sacramento Family Court. The compelling trailer foreshadows many of the same issues reported here at Sacramento Family Court News, which last May was the first media organization worldwide to report on the pending production. 

From the plot summary at IMDb: 

"A documentary that exposes the appalling fiscal waste, shameless collusive practices and rampant corruption within the U.S. family law industry. More money and more people flow through the family courts than any other court system in America combined - now grossing over $50 billion a year. But because of good intentions run amok, misplaced financial incentives, cronyism, and a lack of checks and balances, family courts have become self-corrupting, extra-constitutional fiefdoms that serve the local legal community instead of the general public. Rather than help victims of crimes, these courts often create them. And rather than help parents and children move on, as they are mandated to do, these courts - and their associates - drag out their cases for years, sometimes decades, ultimately resulting in a rash of social ills including bankruptcy, violence, the bastardization of feminism and the criminalization of civil laws. Solutions to the crisis are sought out in Scandinavian countries where marriage dissolution is handled without attorneys, courts, or the turbulence and family disintegration so common in the United States."

In the updated credits, James Scurlock has both a producer and writer credit. Scurlock is the writer/director of the critically acclaimed documentary Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders. Divorce Corp is set for release in theaters on January 10, 2014. For further information and updates, visit the Divorce Corp Twitter page at @divorcecorp. Sacramento Family Court News will have continuing coverage of Divorce Corp. Click here for a list of SFCN articles about the film. 

For additional articles about the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels below: 

Sacramento Superior Court Corruption: Judge Peter McBrien, Judge Pro Tem Divorce Attorney Charlotte Keeley Case Included in Documentary Set for 2014 Theatrical Release

Judge Peter McBrien, Judge Pro Tem Charlotte Keeley and Ulf Carlsson Case Featured in Divorce Corp Documentary: Trailer Released

The conduct of Judge Peter McBrien and judge pro tem divorce lawyer Charlotte Keeley will be described by Sacramento Family Court litigant Ulf Carlsson (above) in the documentary Divorce Corp., set to be released in theaters on January 10, 2014. The account of the Sacramento Family Court system reportedly is unflattering. 

Entertainment Tonight has just posted online the world premiere trailer of the documentary film Divorce Corp. The trailer includes a brief clip of Sacramento Family Court watchdog and litigant Ulf Carlsson, whose long-running family court case will be featured in the film. In a worldwide exclusive, Sacramento Family Court News broke the story of Divorce Corp on May 1 of this year. For updates, visit the Twitter page of the film at @divorcecorp. From ET online:

Dr. Drew Pinsky narrates a new documentary focusing on the increasingly profitable divorce industry and ETonline is proud to present the world premiere trailer Divorce Corp.
The issue-based doc hits home with everyone who's ever gone through a divorce or watched their parents, friends of family members go through a divorce -- in other words, it could be one of the most universally relateable documentaries to ever hit the big screen. Watch!
Divorce Corp opens January 10.

James Scurlock, writer/director of the critically acclaimed documentary Maxed Out: Hard Times, Easy Credit and the Era of Predatory Lenders is a Divorce Corp producer and writer.

For additional coverage of the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels below: