Commission on Judicial Performance has Lassen County Superior Court Judge removed from bench

Today the Commission on Judicial Performance announced that Lassen County Superior Court Judge Tony R. Mallory will be removed from the bench.

The commission found that Judge Mallery was involved in 23 acts of willful contact and 36 acts of prejudicial misconduct. Among the finding was Mallery engaged "in a pattern of conduct involving retaliating against court employees Brandy Cook, Crystal Jones, and Marian Tweddell-Wirthlin for cooperating with the commission and discouraging them from cooperating with the commission."

This report from the Lassen County Times outlines many of the accusation against Mallery. That story noted Mallery's transgressions started on the day he took took his oath in January 2013.  

Today's press release said Judge Mallery’s misconduct was wide- ranging and reflected a troubling inability to conform his behavior to appropriate judicial standards and a lack of understanding of what being a judge requires. Among other misconduct, Judge Mallery interfered with the investigation of his misconduct by retaliating against witnesses and discouraging witnesses from cooperating with the investigation of his misconduct." 

Mallery was elected in 2012 defeating Lassen County District Attorney Bob Burns. The decision becomes final in 30 days pending a discretionary review by the California Supreme Court. The entire decision can be viewed here.