Police Probe Allegations of Fight Between Compton Judge, Woman

Allegations that Compton Municipal Judge Albert J. Garcia got into a verbal and physical confrontation this week with a woman acquaintance in his chambers were under investigation Thursday by Compton police.

Lt. Joe Flores, a spokesman for the Compton Police Department, said the allegations involve physical actions allegedly taken by Garcia, but Flores said he did not know the nature of those actions.

Garcia confirmed only that he and the acquaintance, who was not identified, had an altercation Tuesday and that both had been interviewed by police. The judge said he believes the police report will exonerate him of any wrongdoing.

No charges have been filed in the case.

Police are completing a report that will be turned over to the district attorney’s office for review, Flores said.

“What happened isn’t real clear,” said Garcia’s attorney, Robin Yanes. “I haven’t seen the (woman’s) statement.”

Yanes said that when police arrived at the courthouse in response to a call from court security officers, the woman did not want Garcia arrested. It was Garcia, not the woman, who called the security officers, Yanes said.