Summary
denying misconduct complaint lodged against magistrate judge serving as a settlement judge
Summary of this case from Farkas v. Rich Coast Corp.Opinion
No. 11-90024.
May 25, 2011.
ORDER
A pro se litigant alleges that a magistrate judge, to whom the case was referred for settlement proceedings, should have recused due to a conflict of interest. Allegations that a judge erred in failing to recuse are generally dismissed as merits-related. See 28 U.S.C. § 352(b)(1)(A)(ii); Judicial-Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(B); In re Complaint of Judicial Misconduct, 579 F.3d 1062, 1064 (9th Cir. 2009). "A failure to recuse may constitute misconduct only if the judge failed to recuse for an improper purpose." In re Judicial Misconduct, 605 F.3d 1060, 1062 (9th Cir. 2010). There's no evidence that happened here.
Complainant also alleges that the magistrate judge was racially biased against her and is mentally disabled. But she provides no evidence to support these allegations. See In re Complaint of Judicial Misconduct, 569 F.3d 1093, 1093 (9th Cir. 2009). These charges must therefore be dismissed as unfounded. See 28 U.S.C. § 352(b)(1)(A)(iii); Judicial-Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(D).
Finally, complainant alleges that the judge "engaged in discussions with" defendant and defendant's attorney in complainant's absence. But it's not inappropriate for a settlement judge to have ex parte communications, in order to facilitate an agreement between the parties. See, e.g., Platypus Wear, Inc. v. U.S. Fid. Guar. Co., No. 09-2839-JLS (WVG), 2010 WL 4055540, at *1 n. 1 (S.D.Cal. 2010); cf. In re Cnty. of Los Angeles, 223 F.3d 990, 993 (9th Cir. 2000) (describing difference in the roles of mediators and adjudicators). If the settlement does fail, any ex parte information the settlement judge learns is kept confidential and can have no effect on the resolution of the case. See, e.g., 9th Cir. R. 33-1.
Because complainant doesn't allege conduct "prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts," her charges must be dismissed. See Judicial-Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(A).