Inquiry Concerning Willoughby
Opinion
Lead Opinion
Kelly, J.
*CJP Supp. 147 Opinion
This disciplinary matter concerns Judge W. Jackson Willoughby, a judge of the Placer County Superior Court. Judge Willoughby (respondent) was bom in 1935. Respondent was appointed to the Placer County Municipal Court in March 1993, and was elevated to the superior court in 1997.
SUMMARY
The commission finds that Judge Willoughby engaged in a pattern of inappropriate conduct in the workplace toward female employees consisting of (1) the improper and unwanted touching of his bailiff’s breasts; (2) staring at and asking to see his bailiff’s breasts; (3) making a sexually suggestive comment to a deputy sheriff; and (4) making a derogatory reference to a female deputy district attorney. These activities violate the California Code of Judicial Ethics, canons 1 and 2A, as alleged in the second amended notice of formal proceedings. The commission finds that the allegations concerning the judge’s court clerk in 1997 and 1998 were not proved by clear and convincing evidence. For the reasons set forth in this decision, the commission publicly censures Judge Willoughby.