Judge’s expense claims at issue
The state judicial commission announced Wednesday that it is investigating allegations that Orange County Superior Court Judge Kelly W. MacEachern filed false and misleading expense claims for a legal conference in San Diego.
MacEachern, a former prosecutor elected to serve on the bench in 2003, could be removed from her seat, censured or admonished if the Commission on Judicial Performance determines she lied about her participation in courses during last year’s conference.
Specifically, MacEachern is charged with willful misconduct in office, persistent failure or inability to perform her duties, conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute, and improper action. She has until Aug. 28 to respond to the allegations.
MacEachern did not return a phone message left Wednesday with her clerk at Harbor Court in Newport Beach. Her attorney, Edward P. George Jr., was in court and could not be reached.
The events leading up to the charges are outlined in a seven-page notice signed last month by commission Vice Chairwoman Judith D. McConnell.
MacEachern tried to enroll in two classes during the weeklong Continuing Judicial Studies Program -- Excellence in Judging and Statements of Decision, according to the commission.
About a week later, she was informed that she was denied entry into the Excellence in Judging course, held Monday through Wednesday. She was, however, accepted into a one-day Statements of Decision class to be held on a Wednesday, and was told the state would directly pay the Hyatt Regency Islandia Hotel for one night’s stay, up to $110.
The next day, MacEachern submitted to the Orange County Superior Court an education request leave for the full week of the program. After that, she tried to enroll in a five-day evidence course, but was told it was full and that she would be put on a waiting list. She checked the status of the course days before the program was to begin, and was told it was still full.
MacEachern stayed at the hotel Sunday through Thursday, paying with her own credit card for the three nights that hadn’t been authorized. She later submitted a travel claim to Orange County Superior Court seeking reimbursement for those three nights, the commission said.
MacEachern, confronted by Orange County Superior Court Presiding Judge Nancy Stock after her office conducted an investigation, withdrew her claim for reimbursement.
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