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In My Opinion
George Turner, Newly Enrobed Judge, Is in Violation of Canon
By a Concerned Citizen
(The writer is a knowledgeable observer, with no connection to the MetNews. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George A. Turner Jr. was elected to an open seat in November.)
The Hon. George Turner, that champion of social justice reform, has likely established a record he may not be too proud of: the fastest ethics violation since being sworn in.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, Turner, who describes himself as judge, posted this solicitation for donations at the Inglewood-based Beckman Yola Center, seeking donations of gift cards seemingly in support of “my friends and family who have lost so much in the fires.” The Beckman Yola Center boasts “The completely free after-school program offers its students instruments, intensive training and personal mentorship in the hopes of democratizing music education for students in low-income areas.”
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Above is a message posted by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge George A, Turner Jr. on his Facebook page. |
It is unclear precisely how sending gift cards to further the doubtlessly meritorious goal of democratizing music education will benefit Judge Turner’s friends and family, let alone those hapless thousands who now find themselves doubling their city’s homeless population as victims of the wild fires that erupted while their mayor had abandoned the city on a junket to Ghana.
Canon 4C(3)(d)(iv) of the California Code of Judicial Ethics states that a judge “shall not permit the use of the prestige of his or her judicial office for fundraising….”
Ignorance of the law has never been a get out of jail card for defendants, far less so for judges—they are expected to know the law better than those who appear before them. As a candidate for judge (Office No. 39) in the 2024 general election, Turner was required to certify that he had taken the judicial ethics course for candidates. Sadly, there is apparently little evidence that he was able to comprehend his ethical obligations.
Perhaps someone should advise Turner that his planned “larger community celebration” is not a good idea, and that he really ought to consider a different career path.
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