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.
Explosion rocks Dallas apartment building as massive fire sends black smoke into sky, at least 4 injured
A-List Hollywood Actor Explains Why He’s Backing Spencer Pratt for LA Mayor: ‘Just Look Around’
Police Rush to Amy Coney Barrett’s House After Receiving Troubling 911 Call
Top Democrat shuts down 2028 White House speculation: ‘I will not be one of them’
Socialist Zohran Mamdani launches Elon Musk-style ‘COGE’ chaired by Soros-aligned Dem
FBI seizes record-setting $8 billion in cryptocurrency amid intercontinental ‘scam compound’ crackdown
Federal HR office pulls back curtain on sweeping NDA plan aimed at curbing government leaks
US and Iran reach ceasefire extension deal pending Trump’s final approval
Breaking: US and Iran Reportedly Reach Peace Agreement Pending Trump’s Approval
Husband’s phone GPS data prompts feds to search 25-foot-deep Bahamian waters for Lynette Hooker: sources
Judge hands Trump mail-ballot win for now as Democrats’ next move looms
Another One: Male LGBT Activist Arrested After Admitting Abusive Plan for 13-Year-Old Boy
1994 NBA Finals Clip Resurfaces Showing Trump at Knicks Game After Hochul Questioned His Fandom
US Military Prepared to Strike Cuba at Moment’s Notice: ‘When POTUS Says Go, We’re Ready’
Clarence Thomas puts Dems on clock as Alabama GOP emergency map bid stalled
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.
