Judge Gary Johnson of Kanab, UT; ethical misfit

The state of Washington presented Kathleen Erin Hitchcock with a law license in 1992 after she graduated from the University of Idaho Law School.

Kathy is a part-time judge of the Granger and Wapato Municipal Courts. The Washington Commission on Judicial Conduct charged Kathy with the following misconduct.

Gary has sat as a judge on the Kanab City Justice Court from 1998 through 2014 (26 years).

In one matter, Gary presided over the case of Richard Lewellen v. Ron Parker. Lewellen claimed in his lawsuit that he had purchased a propeller from Parker that was missing parts. Lewellen argued that Parker should be made to pay him for the full amount of the propeller, plus court costs, for a total of $2,909.47.

After the trial, but before Gary rendered his decision, he engaged in an illegal ex parte (one-sided) with Parker on how the case should be resolved. Gary then told Parker he should pay Lewellen the cost of the missing parts for the propeller. Parker then sent a check for $1,170 to Lewellen with a letter explaining the check constituted payment for the missing parts.

Upon receipt of the check, Lewellen called the Justice Court. Gary then engaged in yet another illegal ex parte conversation with Lewellen

As a consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Judicial Misfits sitting on the Utah Surpeme Court punished Gary by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.

As we speak (ca. October 2014), Gary remains sitting as a judge on the Kanab City Justice Court in Kanab, Utah.