Judge J. Michael Coffey of Omaha, NE; ethical goblin

The state of Nebraska provided J. Michael Coffey with a law license in 1974 after he graduated from Creighton University School of Law.

The Nebraska Commission on Judicial qualifications found Judge Coffey guilty of the following misconduct.

• Improperly greed to participate in fundraising evince for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by serving as honorary co-chair of a dinner to be, an event designed to raise funds for and to increase the membership of the MS Society
• Was improperly involved in the fundraising event when a close friend was proposed by the MS Society to be honored at the dinner
• Judge Coffey was asked to approach the friend to consider being honored, and he agreed to do so
• His friend in turn agreed to be honored, but on the condition that Judge Coffey introduce him at the dinner
• Approaching anyone to participate in an event to raise funds or solicit memberships is prohibited by the Nebraska Code of Judicial Conduct, which makes no exception for friendship
• Failed in his duty to decline participation in any capacity in the fundraising undertaking
• Was required to decline to approach anyone, friend or otherwise re: the fundraising event
• Improperly allowed the prestige of judicial office to be used for fund raising or membership solicitation

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the cheerleaders for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Nebraska Supreme Court punished Judge Coffey by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. December 2018) Judge Coffey continues to sit as a 4^th Judicial District Court judge in Omaha, Nebraska.