Court of Appeal justice accused of harassing 14 women

The Commission on Judicial Performance has launched formal proceedings against Court of Appeal Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson, citing a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations by 14 women including that he groped another justice and propositioned his security detail for sex.

The allegations span 11 years, starting from when he was a U.S. magistrate on the Central District of California. The women include judges, attorneys and court staff.

"Justice Jeffrey Johnson denies the allegations, and will present sworn declarations of counsel, court personnel and confirmed interviews of supervising justices and judicial colleagues in his defense," Paul S. Meyer, Johnson's attorney, said in a statement.

Meyer said Johnson "unequivocally" passed lie detector testing on the most serious allegations and plans to bring forward communications of the complainants that "contradict and discredit the claims."

"Justice Johnson looks forward to a careful and fair review of facts and materials by those designated to decide this matter," Meyer said.

Johnson of the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Los Angeles would be the second high-ranking California state jurist snared by accusations of sexual impropriety in the #metoo era. Justice Conrad Rushing of the 6th District in San Jose quietly retired when allegations against him surfaced.

Unlike Rushing, who slipped away from the court before the allegations were reported, Johnson appears poised to fight his removal.

Johnson, a former federal prosecutor and U.S. magistrate, was once seen as a star in California legal circles. His name was often mentioned for a seat on the California Supreme Court. The Commission on Judicial Performance alleges Johnson repeatedly groped 2nd District Court of Appeal Victoria Chaney from 2010 to 2018. Johnson is also accused of propositioning one California Highway Patrol officers for sex and asking another one to come into his house when no one else was home. He also is accused of making inappropriate comments to female court staff and attorneys about their appearance and appearing to be intoxicated at the courthouse.

Johnson's answer to the charges is due by Jan. 24. A hearing date has not been set.