The Tribune's Todd Lighty reports this afternoon that Judge Mauricio Araujo has been reassigned to administrative duties "following a complaint from the state's attorney's office that he referred to a female prosecutor as 'a bitch' and then suggested he may have had sex with her."
That's the lede, anyway; the story suggests that the prosecutor in question was acquainted with Araujo in law school. The prosecutor reported that she had not spoken to Araujo since they were in school together, and she supplied a reason: He made "'unwanted sexual advances' toward her on several occasions back then." She was apparently not interested in renewing, or even acknowledging, the past acquaintance; he was allegedly offended that she 'wouldn't say hello' to him.
Additional details may be found in the Tribune account. In any event, who said what to whom, and why, may, at some point, become the subject of a complaint to the Illinois Courts Commission.
A press release from Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans this evening confirms that he "directed [Criminal Division Presiding Judge Leroy K.] Martin to assign Judge Araujo to administrative duties and to report the matter to the Judicial Inquiry Board." The matter will be further discussed at an October 3 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Circuit Court of Cook County. The Executive Committee consists of Chief Judge Evans and the 17 presiding judges of the court.
The statement from Judge Evans points out that reassigning a judge to administrative duties is the strongest action he is permitted to take in response to these charges: "The Illinois Constitution requires that any official action beyond that is left to the Judicial Inquiry Board and the Illinois Courts Commission." According to this evening's statement, Chief Judge Evans has also ordered sexual-harassment training for all judges and all employees to be conducted in October.
Judge Araujo was first elected to the bench from the 6th Subcircuit in 2008. He enjoyed unanimous bar association approval at the time. He was retained in 2014, also with favorable ratings from all bar groups.
4 weeks ago
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If he made those comments, that's totally unacceptable and he should be held accountable. But he spoke to the media??? Are you kidding me?
He is up for retention in 2020. I wonder if his judicial record will satisfy Brendan Shiller (translation does he acquit a sufficient quota of defendants to fuel the JAPAC’s pipeline of civil rights plaintiffs) or will he instead be subjected to Coghlan treatment?. If there is a JIB inquiry, they can interview all of the ASA’s and court advocates who could tell you some interesting stories about his tenure at Domestic Violence court. He is an arrogant sexist pig. Evans, of course, will sweep this under the rug. Or hire a politically connected law firm to “investigate” and then refuse to disclose the report. Oh wait, that play might get old or be ineffective in response to a JIB subpoena. Hey “judge” you are not supposed to comment to the media about pending matters. And yes, it is a pending matter. The electorate cannot be trusted to elect competent people to the bench. At best they are picking a name out of a hat knowing nothing about who they put into those robes and we all pay the price. Judges jail until the JIB hearing. But please wrap it up in time for 2020 so we can have another vacancy in 6.
I SAID IT ONCE I'LL SAY IT AGAIN, TIM EVANS HAS AN ANTI-LATINO AGENDA. THE SOLE PURPOSE FOR HIS RUNNING FOR ANOTHER TERM AS CHIEF JUDGE WAS TO KEEP STICKING IT TO LATINO JUDGES. MAURICIO SHOULD RUN FOR THE SUPREME COURT SO HE CAN BE VINDICATED.
OMG. Am I the only one that noticed that out of 15 subcircuits, the 6th subcircuit has had more than its fair share of colorful characters occupy Judge Jail? First on deck, Judge "backyard suntanning at 1:30 p.m. on a workday while listening to the Cubs". Then came along Judge "I don't no nothing about no homestead or primary residency affidavits". Then Suntan Sally was back again but morphed into Judge "pull up your pants or be held in contempt". Then the hat trick, Judge "take this job and shove it I ain't working here no more". Now this?
That’s right all caps, Tim evans forced Mauricio to be the arrogant sexist pig that he has proven himself to be. Evans is an incompetent glad-handing political hack, but you can’t pin judge #metoo on him. Anti-Latino? Sell that one to the JIB. Perhaps they might be scared by that play, but the retention voters aren’t — especially all the would-be Anna Loftuses of the world lining up to fill his future vacancy.
Free Aurujo! Free Aurujo! Those would-be married couples don’t want to be married by this pervert.
Any normal person in the workplace would be so mortified by allegations such as this coming to light that they would immediately quit or resign from their job in disgrace. But not these judges. These situations demonstrate how utterly classless and greedy for their paychecks they really are. Just like O'Brien, a ton of dynamite could not blast Araujo or Coghlan into resigning. They need to just to go away. All of these high ideals about judges not engaging in behavior to bring the judiciary into disrepute is just talk. If O'Brien, Araujo, or Coghlan really believed or abided by that ideal they would immediately resign. But not a single one of them will ever just walk away, not now, not ever.
Finally, a prediction: this is just the tip of the iceberg. I mean that in two respects. Additional related issues will come out pertaining to Araujo. Secondly, he will not be the only Cook County judge that gets snared by #metoo. Wait and see.
It takes new judges a bit of time to learn to keep their mouth shut.
I am so surprised. Not about the actual allegations against Aurujo, but rather after all these years this is the first time someone is finally calling it out.
Anyone expecting a quick resolution of this matter should just forget about it right now. This particular jurist has been a problem child for a while, racking up multiple incidents of inappropriate behavior targeted at women. It's now time for those women to come forward about this jurist and all of the others too. Currently, one female attorney has come forward. But it will come as no surprise to any female lawyers who have ever appeared before this jurist that there are other women who will have similar incidents to relate about this jurist. He is arrogant, smug and sexist. He needlessly and frequently comments about the physical appearance of female attorneys. If the Executive Committee (current and past formulations) was ever placed under oath, many would have to tell the truth: that he was transferred from certain assignments to his current assignment because he makes inappropriate comments about women. That, of course, is a non-starter when you are sitting in, sigh, Domestic Violence Court. The sad thing is, as reported by the Tribune, Judge Evans has no plan in place to address this issue. He will resort to his fall guy position that it's not his fault and that he must deal with the "deplorables" that the voters give him every election cycle. Well Tim Evans, that response is no longer acceptable in the #metoo age. Your days as Chief Judge are numbered. The patriarchy must come to an end. in 2019, there will be no retention class whose retention you can threaten in exchange for votes. And your deplorable treatment of women -- excluding certain favored few -- will no longer be tolerated. Coghlan, Aurujo and several others will be your downfall. This is just the tip of the iceberg for Aurujo. And it's not just Aurujo! There are other perverts and misogynists wearing robes in Cook County and it's high time that the women revolt against your conscious disregard for their working conditions.
#dumpcoghlan!
#dumpaurujo!
#dumpevans!
#dumpthepatriarchy!
@Tuesday, September 25, 2018 5:07:00 PM. Sure he spoke to the media It is natural behavior for 26th and California judges to whisper and gossip to the media. They do it all the time but usually they are leaking stories and information about the questionable behavior or dirty laundry of other judges, ASA's, and PD's. Kinda of incredible this legal genius actually talked about himself. You know what judge, you will soon find out that karma is a "bitch", not the female ASA's that are unlucky enough to be assigned to your courtroom and who would not give your married self the time of day.
Jack:
Please tell us the running count of messages that get flushed about Judge Maurie. Inquiring minds must know.
He's not the only one. And when people start naming names, several judges -- males and females, alike -- will be #metoo'd. That's right: a female! Here's a hint: she is from one of those problematic subcircuits. And no, she is not a racial minority.
Oh my God, Jack! As much as I love to read the comments, it may be time to go back to blocking them altogether or limiting them to folk who you sign their name to their words....
Jack:
These comments have been fair and balanced. Judges are protected by their robes and we have our anonymity. If you don’t like people are saying then don’t read the comments.
Castrate the racist patriarchy!
Kavanaugh!
Aurujo!
Schwind!
Men are pigs. Brett Kavanaugh has sealed the fate of any man even thinking about becoming a judge in 2020. The men of the Cook County judiciary are just as bad as Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas.
#dumpthepatriarchy2020!
Mauricio is screwed. Toni fired her chief of staff for being accused of less. He called an ASA a “b.” Kim “Anita tolerated harassers” Foxx called him out, so now he will be a vote no retention candidate. His imminent demise is exacerbated by Brett Kavanaugh and Trump. No man — no matter how liberal — stands a chance in 2020. Plenty of women have been boldly and angrily declaring their candidacy for judge in 2020. Some have even reached out to the retired female judges who WON in 1992 to get their input and strategy. Sit this one out guys because the matriarchy is about to cut our throats.
It may not be the wisest decision to speak to the media but Sept 26 at 12:06 is wrong to say that judge Araujo has a pending matter against him. Criminal charges haven't been filed. The Illinois Court Commission hasn't filed a case against him so pray tell, what pending matter does he have that prevents him from speaking. Additionally, if you want to discuss bad judges, let's not just focus on the 6th sub circuit. Boyle, Coghlan, McHale, Schwind,and Clancy. Hmmm what do they all have in common? Irish judges with racist tendencies that refuse to follow the law and feel entitled to their positions. #dumpallirishjudges
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