Judicial And Legal Misconduct And Ethics And Civil Rights Violations Committed By Judge Vincent Pallozzi In Rhode Island courts

Complaint PALLO001

Following is a letter dated 2-27-98 addressed to the Honorable Alice B. Gibney, Chairperson of The Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline, from Myrth York, a candidate for Governor of the State Of Rhode Island.  Also see complaint by Arlene Violet and Operation Clean Government.  The letter reads as follows:

As you are aware, Administrative Adjudication Court Chief Judge Vincent Pallozzi has recently come under scrutiny for actions disclosed in an investigative series published by the Providence Journal-Bulletin.  I write you to urge the Commission on Judicial Tenure and Discipline to undertake an independent investigation of Judge Pallozzi and his actions in order to restore public trust in our judicial system and in our state government.
Of particular concern to me is the disclosure that Judge Pallozzi knowingly signed so-called "boilerplate" bench decisions -- decisions which are riddled with inaccuracies and demonstrate no regard for facts.  To cite hearings that were never heard and oral arguments that never took place is wrong and we should not tolerate it in any form from our judges.
According to the Providence Journal-Bulletin, the AAC [Administrative Adjudication Court] was admonished by the Supreme Court in 1993 and 1997 for producing these rulings.  Furthermore, when the issue of the boilerplate decisions again arose in the Supreme Court, Judge Pallozzi said, "Instead of a one-page boilerplate, we're going to make it a four-page boilerplate."
I am also greatly concerned by the apparent lack of diligence Judge Pallozzi has shown in his tenure as head of the AAC.  The extensive reporting and several studies conducted on the Court have revealed a Court plagued by mismanagement and apparent lack of regard for the constitutional rights of motorists.
While I am aware that the law allows only those with direct knowledge of facts relevant to a violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct to lodge a complaint, it is my understanding that under the law the Commission has the authority to take the initiative to launch its own investigation.  It is critical that the public know that our judges and our judicial system meet the highest level of integrity.
Sincerely,
Myrth York

--- Ms. York is awaiting a response from the Commission --

Also see complaint by Arlene Violet, Common Cause and Operation Clean Government.