Boston, MA (June 6, 2003) – In light of Judge Maria I. Lopez’s resignation from the Superior Court, the Commission on Judicial Conduct has reached an agreement with Judge Lopez to conclude the proceedings against her.   A copy of the Agreed Disposition is attached.  These complaints are now closed.

The public hearing previously scheduled for Tuesday, June 10^th at Gardner Auditorium is therefore canceled.                                                     

##

BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT

Complaint  Nos. 2000-110, 2000-111, 2000-113, 2000-114, 2000-115, 2000-116, 2000-117, 2000-118, 2000-119, 2000-120, 2000-121, 2000-122, 2000-124, 2000-125, 2000-126, 2000-127, 2000-128, 2000-129, 2000-130, 2000-131, 2000-132, 2000-133, 2000-134, 2000-135, 2000-136, 2000-137, 2000-138, 2000-139, 2000-140, 2000-141, 2000-143, 2000-144, 2000-145, 2000-146, 2000-147, 2000-148, 2000-150, 2000-151, 2000-152, 2000-153, 2000-154, 2000-155, 2000-156, 2000-157, 2000-158, 2000-159, 2000-164, 2000-165, 2000-166, 2000-167, 2000-168, 2000-169, 2000-170, 2000-171, 2000-177, 2000-179, 2000-180, 2000-183, 2000-184, 2000-193, 2000-196, 2000-338, 2001-5

AGREED DISPOSITION

The Commission on Judicial Conduct (“the Commission”) and Maria I. Lopez (“Judge Lopez”), formerly Associate Justice of the Superior Court Department, hereby agree to dispose of the above-numbered complaints pursuant to G.L. c.211C, sections 7(12) and 8(1)(a) and (d), upon the following terms and conditions:

1. The Commission adopts the findings of the Hearing Officer in the above-referenced complaints.  Judge Lopez objects to those findings.

2. Judge Lopez acknowledges that she has acted  in violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct.

3. Judge Lopez has resigned from the bench effective May 19, 2003.  Pursuant to this disposition, the above-referenced complaints will be closed as Informally Adjusted.

4. The Commission will not proceed with the scheduled June 10, 2003 public hearing pursuant to Commission Rule 11E.  Nor will the Commission file its Report and Recommendations with the Supreme Judicial Court pursuant to Commission Rule 11F, for the Supreme Judicial Court to make the final determination in these matters.

Maria I. Lopez                                                    Robert J. Guttentag, Vice Chairman

                                                                           Commission on Judicial Conduct

Date:                                                                   Date:                         

Richard M. Egbert                                               Paul F. Ware, Jr.

Attorney for Judge Lopez                                 Special Counsel to the Commission                                                              

Date:                                                                 Date: