Prosecutor, Defender Show Interest in Judgeship

A day after Superior Court Judge Robert Bradley checked into an alcohol treatment center, two possible contenders for his job gave the strongest indications yet of their intentions to seek the judge’s seat.

Kevin McGee, a top prosecutor in the Ventura County district attorney’s office, confirmed that he is weighing a bid for Bradley’s post. And Gary Windom, an attorney in the county public defender’s office, said he has conferred about his chances with colleagues across the state.

McGee, second-in-command at the prosecutor’s office, said he would decide “preferably sooner than later.” The filing deadline for the June 2 election is Feb. 4.

“I’ve been approached by people in the legal community about running and I’m giving it very strong consideration,” McGee said.

If he is elected, McGee, 44, would become the 21st ex-prosecutor on a bench of 27 judges. The election could shape up as a battle between candidates from opposite ends of the legal spectrum.

Windom on Wednesday said he had been evaluating numerous issues, including the reaction of conservative voters to a candidate who is a Democrat, an African American and a 13-year public defender.

He said he had discussed his prospects with colleagues on statewide sexual assault and juvenile justice commissions based in Sacramento.

“They said it would be very difficult, but that I should do it,” he said.

With Bradley’s suspension from his judicial duties Tuesday, a discomforting obstacle was cleared from the path of the potential candidates. Despite his two recent drunk-driving arrests, Bradley has been a well-liked and widely respected judge. He also has had the advantage of incumbency in an arena where incumbents seldom are challenged.

Although Bradley indicated his intent to run last week, friends and advisors this week urged him to beg off. A number of influential attorneys Monday tried to persuade him to step aside. On Tuesday, he reentered a residential treatment program after showing up at work apparently intoxicated.

According to sources, the judge was seen staggering when he arrived for work. His behavior was bizarre enough to prompt a call from his staff to Sheila Gonzalez, executive officer of the courts, the sources said.

Gonzalez consulted with Assistant Presiding Judge Bruce Clark, and the two immediately relieved Bradley of his duties. Sources said at one point that the judge became belligerent and had to be escorted from the building.

The judge then voluntarily returned to treatment at a facility where he had spent about four weeks after his first arrest Dec. 6.

Tuesday’s developments and McGee’s interest in the seat have led another prospective candidate to back away from the race.

Glen Reiser--a private attorney who represents, among other clients, the district attorney’s office--had said he would consider running if McGee did not.

“Kevin McGee would make an outstanding judge,” Reiser said Wednesday. “He is a smart lawyer and an outstanding administrator. His philosophy is consistent with the attitudes of the majority of Ventura County voters. He is the perfect candidate.”

McGee rose through the ranks since joining the district attorney’s office in 1981. Starting off with misdemeanors and juvenile cases, he has wound up overseeing a staff of 500 employees, including 90 attorneys.

If elected, he would become the third chief assistant to Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury who has risen to the Superior Court. Judges Vincent O’Neill and Colleen “Toy” White held the same position before joining the bench.

While possible candidates sized up their chances Wednesday, Bradley spent his second day in a treatment program.

His attorney, George Eskin, said he was uncertain how long the embattled jurist would remain in treatment.

Prosecution of Bradley’s two drunk-driving arrests has been referred to the state attorney general’s office in Sacramento. Criminal charges are not expected until later this month. In addition, the state Commission on Judicial Performance has launched its own investigation into the judge’s conduct.

In the meantime, Bradley’s driver’s license has been suspended for four months. Friends drove him to work last week, although Eskin said he was unsure how the judge got to work Tuesday.

Court officials refused to answer questions Wednesday about the judge or how his cases would be divided, but judges said the workload was being distributed among them. Bradley had been handling civil settlements.

If the judge decides to retire, he wouldn’t be eligible for pension benefits until he turns 63 in 2004. At that point, he would receive 56% of whatever Superior Court judges make at the time. They now make $107,390 annually.

When he is ready to resume work, he could work as a part-time arbitrator or contracted judge, local attorneys said.

“I think Judge Bradley has a viable career as a rent-a-judge or an arbitrator or a mediator,” Reiser said. “Judge Bradley has shown the ability to settle cases, understand complex legal issues and resolve lawsuits.”

Added Oxnard attorney David Shain: “I would hope that Bradley would get the help he needs and return to the bench, because he is truly one of our finest judges.”