A Massachusetts judge accused of helping an illegal immigrant evade ICE has had $127,000 in legal fees paid by taxpayers, according to a report.
In addition, a court officer who was indicted along with the judge has benefitted from $2,500 in legal fees paid by the public, the report said.
Newton District Court Judge Shelley M. Richmond Joseph, 51, pleaded not guilty in April when she was arraigned in a Boston courtroom on obstruction-of-justice charges stemming from an incident that allegedly took place April 2, 2018.
Prosecutors claimed in court documents in April that Joseph, along with Court Officer Wesley MacGregor, 56, helped Jose Medina-Perez, a twice-deported illegal immigrant with a fugitive warrant for drunken driving in Pennsylvania, sneak out a back door – eluding agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — after he appeared in court to be arraigned on drug charges, according to MassLive.com.
Trump threatens to pull Boebert endorsement, calls congresswoman ‘weak minded’ over Massie support
Trump celebrates after UN climate committee moves away from its most extreme global warming scenario
Trump scores major Republican primary victory as Cassidy ousted in Louisiana
Maduro’s alleged ‘bag man’ Alex Saab arrested less than 3 years after Biden pardon: report
Massachusetts governor asks US Navy to help retrieve bodies, evidence from sunken fishing vessel
Trump shares stunning photos of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool renovation, says project is ahead of schedule
Suspected drunk driver kills 2 pedestrians in violent chain-reaction crash on Manhattan’s Upper West Side
Breaking: US Makes ‘Intense Preparations’ for Impending Iran Attacks as Trump Sends Warning
US Attorney Pirro Lays Down Law: Parents Need to Stop ‘Teen Takeovers’ or Face Jail
We Were Right: 13 Heads Roll as DC Police’s Conspiracy to Deceive Public on Astronomical Crime Rates Exposed
Masked suspect charged with using fuel, fireworks in Walmart kids section as cover for massive jewelry heist
Former college soccer player killed in boat crash after group allegedly took vessel without authorization
Pope Leo does ‘6-7’ trend for children at the Vatican
Violent Repeat Offender Left Psych Ward Days Before Allegedly Shooting Up Busy Massachusetts Street
Second FDA executive departing organization in less than a week as top drug regulator claims she was fired
Medina-Perez, who had been barred from entering the U.S. until 2027, was caught by immigration officials about a month after the hearing. He is currently involved in deportation proceedings after previously being deported in 2003 and 2007, the Boston Herald reported.
After her indictment, Joseph was suspended without pay but filed an appeal to have her salary of $184,600 reinstated, the Boston Herald reported. MacGregor was being paid $83,344 a year but recently retired, the report said.
A crowdfunding site, meanwhile, shows that donors have pledged more than $60,000 to help Joseph pay legal bills, according to the Herald.
Taxpayers ceased picking up the tab for the judge when she was indicted, a court official told the newspaper. She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Story cited here.
