Disciplinary Review on Judge Thomas Ended

The state Commission on Judicial Performance announced Thursday that it has concluded its disciplinary proceedings against Los Angeles Municipal Judge Maxine Thomas but did not disclose the outcome.

The commission said only that it had taken “appropriate action” in the case and offered no further elaboration.

Thomas, 40, who was ousted as presiding judge two years ago by her fellow jurists, has been on medical leave for emotional problems since last November and did not seek a new term in Tuesday’s elections.

Citing confidentiality requirements, investigating attorney Peter Gubbins declined to discuss the outcome of his inquiry. Results are made public only when the agency recommends to the state Supreme Court that a judge be censured, suspended, retired or removed. Among its other options are to take no action or issue a private reproval.

Last July, Thomas was notified by the commission that it intended to privately admonish her for “improper action” that was “prejudicial to the administration of justice in Los Angeles County.”

The commission said she would be rebuked for her erratic courtroom schedule and for reacting “personally and injudiciously to difficulties in her professional relationships with colleagues and court personnel.”

Refusing to accept the formal reproval, Thomas exercised her right to request a hearing to fight the charges. Before the hearing could take place, she left the bench amid complaints that she was behaving strangely and might possibly be on drugs.

Her attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., has consistently denied rumors that his client abused drugs.

Signed Pledge

In Thursday’s announcement, the commission said Thomas had been under investigation because of allegations that she was frequently absent from the bench, “misused her post as presiding judge” and engaged in courtroom behavior that was “sometimes inappropriate.”

Cochran said Thursday that he had signed a pledge not to discuss the outcome of the commission proceedings.

“The matter has now been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction,” he said.

Still pending is Thomas’ claim before the commission for a disability pension. The commission, in its statement, said the action taken in the disciplinary case will not affect the disability proceedings “one way or another.”