Ex-O.C. judge reprimanded for rudeness

A state watchdog agency rebuked a former Orange County Superior Court judge Thursday for behaving rudely on the bench, including one case in which he repeatedly mocked attorneys and told them their case was a waste of his time.

The Commission on Judicial Performance issued a public admonishment of Judge John M. Watson, now retired, for his actions during a case that involved a dispute among neighbors in Seal Beach.

At one point during the 2006 hearing in which neighbors were seeking restraining orders against each other, Watson told the parties that he did not want to hear about testimony that came during a pretrial deposition.

“Believe me, the last thing in the world I would look at unless somebody points a gun at my head is a deposition in this case. I don’t even want to hear this case, let alone read depositions,” Watson said.

In its ruling, the commission held that Watson had violated canons of the Code of Judicial Ethics.

It was the second time the commission had publicly admonished Watson.

In 2006, the commission scolded Watson for using his taxpayer-funded courtroom clerk to help with secretarial tasks involving the day-to-day management of two rental properties he owned.

Twice previously, the commission had sent Watson cautionary letters about his behavior, including an incident in 2006 when he sent an e-mail to other judges that was perceived as prejudiced.

In the most recent case, Watson repeatedly made sarcastic comments about the case and told the parties he was not interested in spending his time hearing their complaints.

“I think it is a waste of time,” Watson said. “These are the kind of lawsuits that make people mad when they get on jury service: dumb cases in court.”

Watson, who served nearly 18 years as an Orange County judge, retired last month, said Carole Levitzky, an Orange County Superior Court spokeswoman.

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stuart.pfeifer@latimes.com