Santa Barbara County judge disciplined by state watchdog agency

The Commission on Judicial Performance on Thursday officially imposed a severe public censure on Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Michael J. Carrozzo and barred him from future judicial service in California.

Under a stipulation agreement, Carrozzo will resign effective Sept. 9 and has agreed never to serve again as a judicial officer in California. He will begin an approved leave from the bench on June 2.

The commission cited 10 acts of willful misconduct and nine acts of prejudicial misconduct spanning more than two years. Among the most serious allegations, Carrozzo was found to have falsely represented himself as an attorney at law on letterhead and claimed to represent his secretary, now his wife, despite being a sitting judge prohibited from practicing law.

During the commission's investigation, Carrozzo also allegedly made false representations about this correspondence.

The judge's attorneys, Heather L. Rosing and Christine C. Rosskopf of Rosing Pott & Strohbehn, told the Daily Journal Tuesday that Carrozzo chose to "move on" for the benefit of his family, court, and colleagues.

Carrozzo was elected to the bench 11 years ago.