A judge sxting while presiding over trials and conducting hearings certainly is disgusting–but even more concerning that Judge Eugenio S. Mathis disclosed confidential information, and his rulings were influenced by personal bias. How many lives were destroyed by Judge S. Mathis’ rulings? How many rulings will be overturned? Can justice prevail after it has been peverted? This case has to do with abuses of power, and a judge who felt he could use the law–and the court–anyway he wanted.
Date of Charges: 2013
Name: Judge Eugenio S. Mathis
Position: District Court Judge, 4th Judicial District, Guadalupe, Mora & San Miguel Counties. Served since 1992.
Name Michelle (Pino) Mathis: Michelle Pino was Judge S. Mathis’ assistant since 2001. They married in 2008.
Position: Court Clerk’s Office
Background: Judge S. Mathis served as chief district judge from 2005 until 2009, he stepped down because his wife Michelle (Pino) Mathis works for the court and the state Supreme Court said that Mathis being his wife’s supervisor appeared improper.
In order to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, Michelle Mathis was transferred to a supervisory job in the court clerk’s office in 2009. The court clerk’s office is supervised by the chief judge, so Mathis had to give up his position as the 4th Judicial District’s chief judge. He continued to serve on the bench until this scandal.
Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico
Misconduct:
*Judge S. Mathis sxt his wife Michelle numerous times while serving on the bench, during actual cases & hearings. Judge S. Mathis often implied he would have sex with his wife during the work day, and on the court property. A number of chat logs were filed into evidence, including a message that read “Don’t come knocking if the jury room is rockin’.”
*Judge S. Mathis also made statements that implied he did not like his job, including, “One more hearing. Are you ready to go home?? “i’VE BEEN READY SINCE 8:05″
*Let his wife Michelle read confidential reports
*Let his wife Michelle do personal business during work hours including online shopping, paying bills and undermined her supervision
*Not cooperating with other judges
*Making nasty comments about other cases
*Making nasty comments about other judges, personnel and attorneys
*Making comments showing bias or predjudice to jurors
Response:
Suspended without pay on Feb. 18, 2013 while investigation was pending
Judge S. Mathis agreed to resign in March 2013, and never hold a judicial position again
It is unclear if Michelle Mathis is receiving disciplinary action
When a judicial vacancy like this happens, the state Judicial Nominating Commission solicits applications, interviews candidates and forwards recommendations to the governor. The governor then appoints someone to fill position, from the pool of applicants recommended by the nominating commission. The person appointed by the governor will be placed on the ballot in the next general election, which will be in November of 2014, and have to win the vote to accept the position.
Sources:
“Breaking: Judge Mathis resigns post” by Martin Salazar, 3/1/13. Las Vegas Optic: http://www.lasvegasoptic.com/content/breaking-judge-mathis-resigns-post?mini=calendar-date%2F2013-04&quicktabs_2=0
“Judge Eugenio S. Mathis Resigns Amid Misconduct Allegations” by Evan Bleier, 3/7/13. Opposing Views: http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/judge-eugenio-s-mathis-resigns-amid-misconduct-allegations
“New Mexico Judge Resigns Amid Allegations of Sextexting and Misconduct” by Jonathan Turley, 3/7/13. http://jonathanturley.org/2013/03/07/nevada-judge-resigns-amid-allegations-of-sextexting-and-misconduct/
Among the Wolves 