That's the word from on high, folks.
"Boston judge got free aid worth $85,000; Law firm helped Dougan fight bias complaint; donation of services could raise ethics issues" by Andrea Estes | Globe Staff, January 08, 2013
Judge Raymond G. Dougan won a major legal victory in November, successfully fending off a 61-page complaint from the Suffolk district attorney that his decisions were systematically biased in favor of criminal defendants.
I think we need more of that in AmeriKa because the courts are so tilted towards law enforcement it isn't even funny.
Now, it turns out that a prominent law firm whose lawyers often appear in Boston courts paid for Dougan’s defense, giving him at least $85,000 worth of free services – and perhaps much more – from one of the most prestigious legal teams in the city.
The pro bono legal services provided by the Boston law firm Foley Hoag could violate the rules of judicial conduct that prohibit judges from receiving gifts from law firms whose attorneys have appeared before them or are likely to in the future. State ethics law also bars public officials from accepting most gifts.
With an exception carved out for health care lobbyists to buy state reps and senators lunches.
The free legal services, confirmed by Dougan in mandatory reports to the Supreme Judicial Court and the State Ethics Commission, are certainly unusual....
Dougan declined to comment, but his lead attorney, Michael B. Keating of Foley Hoag, argued that no rules were broken....
That's where I closed this case.
--more--"
Related: Dougan’s free legal services a conflict of interest
Judge Raymond Dougan said to face new inquiry
State ethics panel backs free legal help for judges
UPDATE: Boston judge got $550,000 in free legal help
Also see:
Disciplinary panel recommends removal of Clerk Magistrate Robert E. Powers for misconduct
SJC is urged not to fire Barnstable magistrate
Barnstable clerk magistrate accused of misconduct apologizes
