In re Inquiry Concerning Hall

*CJP Supp. 150 Opinion

I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY

This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Diana R. Hall, a judge of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, whose current term began in 2002 after she won reelection in the contested election that is a subject of these proceedings. At the time of the election, the judge lived in a romantic relationship with Deidre Dykeman and did not want that fact generally known. Ms. Dykeman gave the judge $20,000 for the reelection campaign—approximately half of the total amount of contributions. Concerned that the contribution might raise questions about the relationship, the judge deposited the $20,000 into her own personal checking account to conceal its source. During the campaign, she signed four campaign disclosure statements under penalty of perjury listing herself as the source of the $20,000, knowing that to be false. She undermined the fair electoral process with her deceit and misrepresentations. At a minimum, there is an appearance Judge Hall holds her judicial office as the result of election fraud.

Judge Hall claims she violated campaign finance and disclosure laws inadvertently, as the result of not reading them. She further…