Story Archive

Voters Say, Screw That

“Engaging in sexual intercourse in the courthouse is the height of irresponsible and improper behavior by a judge,” wrote California’s Commission on Judicial Performance, censuring Orange County Superior Court Judge Scott Steiner for his conduct with two women, both of whom were his former students. But you might think something else he did was worse: not disqualifying himself from a case in which an old friend represented the defendant. The censure order mentioned that, too. Despite all this, he won re-election, defeating a candidate who promised to “restore integrity” to the bench. (AC/Los Angeles Times) ...Perhaps Orange County voters don’t think consensual sex becomes a breach of integrity if you use your office couch.