Dateline—Las Vegas, Nev., (Aug. 3, 2021): In Nevada, judicial candidates are required to file annual reports that list “who” gave money to the candidate and “how much” they gave; in addition, candidates must file annual expense reports, [see NRS 294A]. Failure to file annual reports results in fines of up to $100 per day, maxing out at $10,000 per violation.
In the summer of 2020, it was discovered that Clark County Family Court Judge, Vincent Ochoa, much maligned for his malevolence and incompetence, failed to file five (5) years’ worth of campaign finance reports—a clear violation of NRS 294A—which meant that Ochoa was facing fines of up to $50,000, [NRS 294A.420].
“If they’re lawless on the bench, then you can bet they’re also lawless off the bench,” says civil rights attorney, T. Matthew Phillips—the determined whistleblower who ratted out Ochoa to the Nevada Secretary of State.
CODE of JUDICIAL CONDUCT
By failing to timely file contribution and expense reports, Ochoa violates NRS 294A – for which the Nevada Secretary of State fined Ochoa. But note, because he’s a judge – Ochoa also violates a parallel provision at Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon No. 4, which requires that judicial candidates “shall report contributions received and campaign expenses,” [see Rule 4.2(A)(5)].
Nevada Secretary of State fined Ochoa, which means he violated campaign laws, [NRS 294A], and this results in an automatic violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, [Rule 4.2(A) (5)]. And thus, Ochoa violated both NRS and the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Based on this rather obvious campaign reporting violation, Phillips now has an official complaint before the under-staffed Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. But will the Commission actually do anything? How will the Commission process the “Phillips slam-dunk” complaint?
NEVADA COMMISSION on JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline has a horrible reputation for NOT protecting the citizens of Nevada. The Commission has a track record of acting ONLY on complaints from other judges.
Notably, Judge Linda Marie Bell used the Commission to lean on Judge William Potter and have him ousted from the bench—for what appears to have been a personal squabble between Bell and Potter.
Linda Marie Bell is upset about ball-gag antics, while, in the real world, legions of frustrated parents, who haven’t seen their children in ages, are upset about sociopath judges who daily flout the Constitution and kidnap children like its lunchtime.
Many are critical of the Commission—for their failure to pursue lawless judges (like Ochoa) who actually harm the public. Many believe that the Commission should protect parents and children instead of protecting lawless judges.
COMPLAINT AGAINST OCHOA
- Matthew Phillips has a “slam-dunk” complaint against Ochoa. First, the Nevada Secretary of State fined Ochoa for failure to file campaign reports, which proves that Ochoa violated NRS 294A. Second, the violation of NRS 294A proves that Ochoa violated the Code of Judicial Conduct, Rule 4.2(A) (5). Bamm!
Ochoa clearly violated the Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 4.2(A) (5)—and its express requirement that judges must obey NRS 294A. No one can deny that Ochoa was fined—and no one can deny that Ochoa was fined because he violated NRS 294A. Under Nevada law, all violations of NRS 294A automatically result in violations of Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 4.2(A)(5)—but it begs the question—which fanciful excuse will the Commission concoct to rescue Ochoa?
EXCUSES, EXCUSES
The Commission’s favorite “go-to” excuse is that the complained-of judicial indiscretions, instead of being brought to the Commission’s attention, should instead be brought up on appeal. (They love this excuse!) But, the truth is, Ochoa’s indiscretions occurred off the bench, which means there’s nothing to appeal. But again, this begs the question—which whimsical excuse will the Commission fabricate to save Ochoa?
Phillips makes an iron-clad case against Ochoa for violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Rule 4.2(A) (5). Yeah, sure, but will the corrupt and inept Judicial Commission actually do anything about it?
One thing’s for sure; Phillips’ meritorious complaint against Ochoa will surely plumb the depths of corruption and ineptitude at the Commission—which goes out of its way to protect lawless judges.
CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTION
We totally anticipate business as usual at the Commission. We wholly expect Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline will invent some phony-baloney reason to protect Ochoa. With 100% certainty, the Commission will reject Phillips’ complaint against Ochoa.
And when they do reject Phillips’ complaint, (which they will), Phillips vows to sue the Commission and attorney, Paul C. Dehlye in federal court. Why?—because Ochoa clearly violated the Code of Judicial Conduct. It’s not a close call. If the Commission fails to violate Ochoa, it can only be through willful failure to follow the law.
“We must defund the Commission,” stated Phillips, “because they’re useless.”
READ the COMPLAINT
Attached is a copy of the complaint Phillips filed with the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. Read the complaint against Ochoa. Download it here!file:///C:/Users/Owner/Downloads/Judicial-Commission-Complaint-Ochoa-Aug.-2-2021(1).pdf
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