Boston Municipal Court Judge Raymond Dougan has been accused of bias against police and in favor of the defense in a formal complaint to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, so it’s not entirely surprising that a major Boston law firm, Foley Hoag, would take up his case, free of charge. But Dougan’s acceptance of attorney Michael Keating’s services, which are worth at least $85,000, appears to violate the state ban on judges receiving gifts from law firms whose members are likely to appear before them.
The state Commission on Judicial Conduct, which dismissed the initial complaint of anti-police bias, should now investigate Dougan’s acceptance of the free legal services. And even if the commission finds that Dougan did not violate ethical standards, he should make it clear that he will never agree to oversee a case involving Keating or Foley Hoag.
Comments
"Dougan should be required to pay the legal bill if he violated state conflict-of-interest laws." Insofar as the case was dismissed, perhaps the legal fees should come from Mr. Conley's budget. In a sense those legal fees are a "fine" imposed by Conley at no cost to himself. There is nothing to prevent Mr. Conley from threatening other judges with the same "fine" and thus to skew the cause of justice in the courts.
Where is Martha Coakley. She quick to go after easy prey such as Cahill or Mayor Lantgua how about one that the judge has admitted to?
Judge Dougan has very poor judgement. I think that should disqualify him from the bench. I agree that the original complaint should have been dismissed, but I also agree that this is a different matter.