Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Censured for Order Directing Payment of Class Counsel’s Fees by Way of “Gift Cards”

On February 2, 2010, the California Commission on Judicial Performance issued a decision imposing censure on Judge Brett C. Klein, retired, arising out of Judge Klein’s sua sponte modification of a proposed final order to provide for the payment of $125,000 in attorney's fees in $10 gift cards, and by his action in transmitting the order to the press. A copy of the Commission’s Order is posted here. The Order imposes the strictest of penalties – barring Judge Klein from holding judicial office in the state of California and from receiving an assignment, appointment, or reference of work from any California state court.