California court watchdog groups charge that the leadership of the state Judicial Council bears primary responsibility for a string of court scandals compiled in this video from the California Courts News YouTube Channel. An ABC News 10 investigation into misuse of the California Highway Patrol by the chief justice as a taxi and shopping service is included.
Indifference and incompetence by Judicial Council Chair Tani Cantil-Sakauye and senior management at the agency has resulted in an epidemic of court corruption in California, including a Los Angeles County court clerk accused of stealing $6,000 from people filing name changes, a case fixing scheme uncovered by the FBI in Orange County, and a massive, statewide traffic courts scandal.
In the ABC News report, Cantil-Sakauye was caught on video misusing the California Highway Patrol for routine transportation and security at a cost of $4 million per year. Cantil-Sakauye also used the CHP on junkets to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Pebble Beach, according to the Team 10 investigation.
California court reform watchdog groups have called on the chief justice to resign. The California Commission on Judicial Performance - responsible for oversight and accountability of judges in the state - has failed or refused to investigate Cantil-Sakauye for what judicial ethics experts confirm are flagrant violations of the Code of Judicial Ethics. Whistleblowers attribute the CJP inaction to the personal and professional relationship between controversial CJP Director Victoria Henley and Cantil-Sakauye.
The chief justice has also been dogged by allegations that she is using her high court and Judicial Council positions of influence to impede or discourage investigation of her former coworkers at Sacramento Superior Court and the Third District Court of Appeal.
Sacramento County whistleblowers have documented the existence of an alleged racketeering enterprise in the family law division of the superior court, and assert that 3rd District judges who were elevated from the trial court are helping conceal the lawbreaking.
The chief justice has also been dogged by allegations that she is using her high court and Judicial Council positions of influence to impede or discourage investigation of her former coworkers at Sacramento Superior Court and the Third District Court of Appeal.
Sacramento County whistleblowers have documented the existence of an alleged racketeering enterprise in the family law division of the superior court, and assert that 3rd District judges who were elevated from the trial court are helping conceal the lawbreaking.
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