Conflicts of Interest: Sacramento County Judges Implicated in Wall Street Journal Federal Judge Investigation

Sacramento Superior Court Judges Reportedly Fail to Disclose Conflicts of Interest

A Wall Street Journal investigation has found that federal judges have for years failed to disclose conflicts of interest to the attorneys and litigants who appear before them.   

In July, 2014 we reported that

Presiding Judge Robert Hight Responsible for Legal Error Tainting Hundreds of Cases

An attorney and Sacramento Family Court News reader provided the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions Formal Opinion embedded at the end of this article. The opinion provides an additional legal reference confirming that family court judges must disclose potential conflicts of interest on the record. 

At court hearings where no court reporter is present, the disclosure must be in writing, according to the CJEO. A SFCN investigation last year revealed that family court judges were not in compliance with conflict of interest disclosure laws. Judges continue to ignore conflict laws, according to recent case audits conducted by SFCN.

For years, Sacramento Family Court Report has been investigating and reporting that many judges have undisclosed conflicts of interest. View our reports here. 

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

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Raises Awareness of Family Court Victim Childhood Trauma

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is part of a growing network of leaders working to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the need to develop effective innovative interventions. 

Alleged judge-attorney collusion and racketeering in Sacramento Superior Court spanning more than 20 years has traumatized hundreds of children, according to court reform advocates. The documentary film Divorce Corp designated the Sacramento County Family Court system as one of the most corrupt in the United States. 

Infographic: The Truth About ACEs by RWJF on RWJF.org

Sacramento Superior Court Controversy: Divorce Corp Documentary Cataloging Sacramento Family Court Corruption Now Available on Google Play

The Divorce Corp production team has just announced the availability of the documentary film on Google Play. 

The 2014 documentary film Divorce Corp, which includes the troubling stories of several Sacramento County Family Court corruption victims, is now available on Google Play, the official app store for the Android operating system. A digital distribution platform operated by Google, Google Play offers music, magazines, books, movies and television programs. Divorce Corp can be purchased for $7.99 or rented for $2.99.   

The movie catalogs judge and attorney misconduct and corruption in family courts throughout the United States, and designates Sacramento County as one of the most corrupt in the nation. 

A clip from the movie featuring an interview with Sacramento Family Court corruption victim and whistleblower Ulf Carlsson, is posted at the Sacramento Family Court New YouTube Channel. Divorce Corp is also available on Netflix, at the iTunes store, and on DVD and Blu-ray at the Divorce Corp Store.   

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Sacramento Superior Court Controversy: Facebook Family Court Watchdog Group Reaches Landmark, Continues Growth Trajectory

Sacramento Family Court Corruption Facebook Community Logs 500 Follower "Likes" 

Sacramento Superior Court Supervising Family Law Judge James Mize is featured on the home page of the Sacramento Family Court Corruption Facebook group. 

A Facebook group that catalogs examples of Sacramento Family Court problems and scandals, and acts as a de facto support group for unrepresented, pro per family court victims of the alleged racketeering organization operating in the court has just reached a Facebook milestone of 500 "Likes." The achievement was announced by group facilitator and veteran court watchdog Ulf Carlsson. 

"Our outreach to family court victims continues to deliver results," Carlsson said."The egregious corruption in this court continues because the responsible parties assume that the victims will never come together and exchange information. This Facebook group enables victims to connect, share experiences and be able to show oversight authorities and law enforcement that the problems are systemic, and not one-off, isolated events," Carlsson explained.  

To visit the Sacramento Family Court Corruption Facebook page, click here. Family court victims can also contact group facilitator Ulf Carlsson directly by email by clicking here. Carlsson was featured in the 2014 documentary film, Divorce Corp. View the Carlsson Divorce Corp video clip at the SFCN YouTube Channel. The full movie is now available on Netflix.  

Sacramento Superior Court Controversy: Divorce Corp Documentary Featuring Sacramento County Court Corruption Now Streaming on Netflix

Documentary Film Cataloguing Sacramento Family Court Corruption Now Available to 65 Million Netflix Members 

The 2014 documentary film Divorce Corp is now available on Netflix, an on-demand Internet streaming media service with 65 million subscribers. The movie chronicles family court corruption throughout the United States and designates Sacramento County as one of the most corrupt. 

To continue reading, click Read more >> below: 

Sacramento Superior Court Controversy: Judge Matthew Gary Orders Indigent, Disabled Parent To Pay Attorney Fee Sanctions Based on "Body Language"

Judge Matthew Gary assessed draconian attorney fee sanctions against a disabled, indigent family court parent without an attorney based on her "body language," according to court records from the case. 

The appellate brief excerpt embedded at the bottom of this post recounts one instance of Judge Matthew Gary's misconduct in the Susan Ferris case, in connection with an illegal attorney fee sanctions order. The appeal in the case is pending at the controversial 3rd District Court of Appeal in Sacramento. 

The embedded document package also includes the court reporter transcript from a hearing in the case recording that Gary ordered Ferris to pay $2,500 to the opposing attorney, Timothy Zeff, based on Ferris' "body language." Zeff's partner, Scott Buchanan, is a part-time judge in the same court. 

Court records indicate that the judge pro tem conflict of interest was not disclosed as required by state law. The conflict disclosure violation has occurred in hundreds of other cases involving temporary judge lawyers.

To continue reading, click Read more >> below: 

Judge Robert Hight Controversy: "Lifetime Porker, Lying Loser" Says National Court Watchdog Group

Sacramento Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Hight Earns Recognition by Committee to Expose Dishonest and Incompetent Judges

Judge Robert Hight has received an unfavorable
review by a national court watchdog group.

A national court watchdog group has published an unflattering report about Sacramento County Presiding Judge Robert Hight.  

"The state of California presented Robert Conner Hight with a law license in 1972. Since receiving his law license, Bobby has had his significant snout firmly implanted in the public trough for the past 43 years (1972-2015).

Prior to ascending to the bench, Bobby worked at the Dept. of Fish and Game and the California Lands Commission. It's apparent that no self-respecting law firm in the Sacramento area was about to offer Bobby a good paying job," begins the profile. 

The Hight report was recently published by The Committee to Expose Dishonest and Incompetent Judges, Attorneys, and Public Officials, a national government whistleblower website with over 1.3 million visits. 

Height earned the distinction for his 2009 testimony during the Commission on Judicial Performance misconduct prosecution of Judge Peter McBrien. Hight testified for the McBrien defense team as a character witness. "What kind of Judge would voluntarily testify as to the good character of a convicted criminal?," the Committee report reads.      

To read the full report click here. To view Sacramento Family Court News articles about Judge Hight, click here.

The Committee previously published profiles of other Sacramento County judges, including

• James Mize, click here. 
• Shellyanne Chang, click here.
• Kevin McCormick, click here.      
• Peter McBrien, click here, here, and here. 

Related articles from Sacramento Family Court News:

• Alleged Sacramento Superior Court racketeering enterprise involving judges and attorneys. 
• Divorce Corp documentary film detailing family court corruption.
• Part-time judge attorneys provided kickbacks and preferential treatment by court employees and full-time judges.    

Sacramento Superior Court Corruption: Criminal Case Against Judge Peter McBrien - Investigator Report from Sacramento District Attorney

Criminal Investigation Against Judge Peter McBrien: Whistleblower Leaked Report from Sacramento County District Attorney's Office

In 2000, Judge Peter McBrien faced a felony
criminal charge for the destruction of
trees in a public park.

Friday Document Dump - SFCN Exclusive

The criminal investigation report of Judge Peter McBrien by Sacramento County District Attorney's Office Criminal Investigator Craig Tourte is embedded below. To view additional records from the 2000 prosecution and conviction of McBrien, click here. To read the Sacramento News and Review cover story about the case, click here. 

In 2009, McBrien was caught lying under oath to the Commission on Judicial Performance about the circumstances surrounding his 2000 criminal conviction. Court watchdogs allege that the judge also is responsible for a family court criminal racketeering enterprise involving collusion and kickbacks between judges and divorce attorneys who also work as part-time judges in the same court. Click here for our investigative report.   

McBrien retired from the bench in 2014, but was authorized to continue working as a family court commissioner by controversial Sacramento County Presiding Judge Robert Hight and troubled family court Supervising Judge James Mize. Hight testified as a character witness in support of McBrien at the judge's 2009 CJP prosecution. Mize also testified as a character witness for McBrien.

Criminal Investigation Report Judge Peter McBrien Sacramento Superior Court - Criminal Case Against Hon. Pe... by California Judicial Branch News Network - Independent Investigative Reporting on California Courts

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Misconduct: False Testimony Under Oath by Judge Peter J. McBrien at the Commission on Judicial Performance

Perjury and Lies by Judge Peter McBrien Documented by the Commission on Judicial Performance in Whistleblower Leaked Records

Wednesday Document Dump - SFCN Exclusive

Sacramento Superior Court Judge Peter McBrien's personal vendetta against Ulf 
Carlsson was detailed and reenacted in the 2014 documentary film Divorce Corp.

False testimony under oath by Judge Peter McBrien is documented by the Commission on Judicial Performance in this set of whistleblower leaked documents, embedded below. The CJP is the state agency responsible for the oversight and accountability of judges in California. 

McBrien's serial misconduct in the Carlsson divorce case led to his prosecution by the CJP and was chronicled in the 2014 documentary film Divorce Corp. To view a clip from the movie featuring an interview with Ulf Carlsson describing what a court of appeal judge called McBrien's "judicial reign of terror," click here.  

Sacramento Superior Court watchdogs allege that the judge also is responsible for a family court criminal racketeering enterprise involving collusion and kickbacks between judges and divorce lawyers who also work as part-time judges in the same court. Click here for our investigative report.  

McBrien retired from the bench in 2014, but was authorized to continue working as a family court commissioner by controversial Sacramento County Presiding Judge Robert Hight and troubled family court Supervising Judge James Mize. Hight testified as a character witness in support of McBrien at the judge's 2009 CJP prosecution. Mize also testified as a character witness for McBrien.   

Perjury and Lies by Judge Peter McBrien at the Commission on Judicial Performance: Whistleblower Leaked CJP... by California Judicial Branch News Network - Independent Investigative Reporting on California Courts

Sacramento Superior Court Criminal Activity Alleged At Judicial Council Meeting Protest & Public Comment

Family Court Judge-Attorney Collusion, RICO Racketeering and Other Crimes To Be Submitted at Judicial Council Meeting

The Center for Judicial Excellence, a Marin-based family court reform organization, has initiated a "Year of Action to Stop Court Crimes" campaign throughout California.

Evidence of alleged criminal activity by Sacramento Superior Court judges, employees, and part-time judges who also work as for-profit divorce lawyers will be presented by court watchdogs and whistleblowers at a Judicial Council meeting in Sacramento on Thursday, February 19. The presentation is a component of the "Stop Court Crimes" campaign sponsored by the Center for Judicial Excellence, a Marin-based family court reform organization. 

The statewide CJE "Year of Action to Stop Court Crimes" campaign kicked-off in September with a rally at the Judicial Council in San Francisco, and is slated to run throughout 2015. Family court watchdogs from 16 California counties attended, including a strong Sacramento County contingent. The event generated press coverage by the San Francisco Examiner. In addition to the rally, the group made a formal, written request for an audience with the Chair of the Judicial Council to present evidence and discuss alleged criminal activity and other misconduct by family court judges and employees throughout the state. The request was denied, and the group was directed to express their concerns at the public comment segment provided at regularly scheduled Judicial Council meetings.

To continue reading, click Read more >> below:

Sacramento Superior Court Corruption: Family Court Reform Advocates To Attend Judicial Council Protest

Criminal Activity by Family Court Judges, Employees, and Part-Time Judges To Be Reported To Judicial Council

The Center for Judicial Excellence will initiate
a year-long "Stop Court Crimes" campaign on
September 19.

Evidence of alleged criminal activity by Sacramento Superior Court judges, employees, and part-time judges who also work as for-profit divorce lawyers will be submitted by court watchdogs and whistleblowers at the Judicial Council headquarters in San Francisco on Friday, September 19. The protest event is a component of the "Stop Court Crimes" campaign sponsored by the Center for Judicial Excellence, a Marin-based family court reform organization. 

The statewide CJE "Year of Action to Stop Court Crimes" campaign will start with a rally at the Judicial Council, and is slated to run throughout 2015. Family court watchdogs from counties across California are expected to attend, including a Sacramento County contingent. 

The Stop Court Crimes initiative plans to expose corruption and improve court accountability and transparency through an education campaign targeting the Judicial Council, Legislature, State Bar, Commission on Judicial Performance and other agencies responsible for Judicial Branch oversight.  

Sacramento Superior Court watchdogs and whistleblowers have long asserted that the local family court system operates as a Kids-for-Cash-style racketeering enterprise where children effectively are bought and sold for the financial gain of unethical lawyers. The criminal organization includes the active involvement of several family court judges, and the acquiescence of other Sacramento Superior Court judges who are aware of, but turn a blind eye to the corruption, according to court reform advocates.

Event details from the Center for Judicial Excellence: 

Judicial Council Protest - Center for Judicial Excellence Stop Court Crimes Campaign - Sacramento Superior... by California Judicial Branch News Network

Family Law Report from Divorce Corp Documentary Director Joe Sorge: Judges with Hidden Agendas

Judges with Hidden Agendas Revealed by Attorney in Interview with Divorce Corp Director Joe Sorge

Released nationwide earlier this year, the documentary film Divorce Corp designated the Sacramento Superior Court family law system as one of the most corrupt in the United States. The local family court cases of Andrew Karres, Mike Newdow, Robert Saunders and Ulf Carlsson all were featured in the movie. The film devoted a significant segment to a startling account of misconduct by Judge Peter McBrien in the Carlsson case. Even before the documentary release, McBrien's conduct in the case was characterized as a "judicial reign of terror" by 6th District Court of Appeal Presiding Judge Conrad Rushing.  

In this follow-up video series posted at the Divorce Corp YouTube Channel, director Joe Sorge interviews attorney Susan Settenbrino about judge misconduct. The four-part series covers family court cases where judges were caught pursuing a hidden agenda, judge retaliation against attorneys who attempt to disqualify corrupt judges, problems with judicial elections, and the lack of oversight of the Judicial Branch. This video is part one, covering judges with a hidden agenda.    

Sacramento Superior Court watchdogs and whistleblowers have long asserted that the local family court system operates as a Kids-for-Cash-style racketeering enterprise where children effectively are bought and sold for the financial gain of unethical lawyers. The criminal organization includes the active involvement of several family court judges, and the acquiescence of other Sacramento Superior Court judges who are aware of, but turn a blind eye to the corruption, according to court reform advocates.  

Click to visit Sacramento Family Court News on: Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Scribd, Vimeo, and Twitter. For additional reporting on the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels below:

Systemic Temporary Judge Conflict of Interest Disclosure Law Violations Confirmed by Supreme Court Committee

The Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions has issued an important "Formal Opinion" confirming that conflict of interest disclosures by judges be made in writing when no court reporter is present.

Presiding Judge Robert Hight Responsible for Legal Error Tainting Hundreds of Cases

An attorney and Sacramento Family Court News reader provided the California Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions Formal Opinion embedded at the end of this article. The opinion provides an additional legal reference confirming that family court judges must disclose potential conflicts of interest on the record. 

At court hearings where no court reporter is present, the disclosure must be in writing, according to the CJEO. A SFCN investigation last year revealed that family court judges were not in compliance with conflict of interest disclosure laws. Judges continue to ignore conflict laws, according to recent case audits conducted by SFCN.

To continue reading, click Read more >> below:

Divorce Corp Family Law Report: Interview with Civil Rights Attorney Leon Koziol - Child Custody

Divorce Corp Director Joe Sorge Exposes Government Financial Interest in Instigating Child Custody Disputes

Released nationwide in January, the documentary film Divorce Corp designated the Sacramento Superior Court family law system as one of the most corrupt in the United States. The local family court cases of Andrew Karres, Mike Newdow, Robert Saunders and Ulf Carlsson all were used in the movie. The movie devoted a significant segment to a startling account and reenactment of egregious misconduct by Judge Peter McBrien in the Carlsson case. Even before the documentary release, McBrien's conduct in the case was called a "judicial reign of terror" by 6th District Court of Appeal Presiding Judge Conrad Rushing.

In this follow-up video, Divorce Corp director Joe Sorge interviews New York civil rights attorney Leon Koziol. The family law experts discuss federal government financial incentives that reward state governments for marginalizing one parent after a separation or divorce. 

Sacramento Superior Court watchdogs and whistleblowers have long asserted that the local family court system operates as a Kids-for-Cash-style racketeering enterprise where children effectively are bought and sold for the financial gain of unethical lawyers. The criminal organization includes the active involvement of several family court judges, and the acquiescence of other Sacramento Superior Court judges who are aware of, but turn a blind eye to the corruption, according to court reform advocates.

Click to visit Sacramento Family Court News on: Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Scribd, Vimeo, and Twitter. For additional reporting on the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels below:

Sacramento Superior Court Corruption: Judge Robert Hight and Judge James Mize Allow Attorney Misconduct to Continue Unabated

Attorney Fee Churning Tactics Revealed in the Documentary Film Divorce Corp: Includes Interviews with Two Sacramento Family Court Litigants

Click here to visit the Divorce Corp website. To visit the Divorce Corp YouTube Channel, click here.  

Click to visit Sacramento Family Court News on: Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Scribd, Vimeo, and Twitter. For additional reporting on the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels 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...

Hon. Matthew J. Gary Misconduct: Susan Ferris Case and Appeal Front Page News at Sacramento Bee

Judge Matthew Gary Abuse of Disabled, Unrepresented Mom Results in Landmark Appeal to Establish Constitutional Right to Counsel in Civil Cases 

The Sacramento Bee today published a front page story about the pending appeal in the Sacramento Family Court Susan Ferris case. Sacramento Family Court News has been covering the case for more than a year and has published several articles, including an exclusive video interview with Susan Ferris. Ferris is represented on appeal by a team of lawyers led by prominent San Francisco attorney James Brosnahan of the international law firm Morrison & Foerster.   

"This is at the point where a lot of us think it's a disgrace," Brosnahan said. "You can't take someone's child and that person doesn't have an attorney when you do it...It's an outrage," Brosnahan explained to Sacramento Bee reporter Brad Branan.  

Click here to read the full article at the Bee. For a list of SFCN articles about the case, including our exclusive Susan Ferris interview, click here.   

Click to visit Sacramento Family Court News on: Facebook, YouTube, Google+, Scribd, Vimeo, and Twitter. For additional reporting on the people and issues in this post, click the corresponding labels below the graphic: