Alaska Superior Court Judge Romano DiBenedetto of Nome, appointed by former Gov. Bill Walker in 2017, has been recommended for a public reprimand by the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct, following findings that he breached judicial conduct standards both inside and outside the courtroom.
In the first incident in which he was charged, Judge DiBenedetto presided over a motion hearing in Unalakleet on Jan. 8, 2024, after regular work hours. The Commission found he arrived nearly one hour late, reportedly because he had been watching a televised sports event. The College Football Playoff National Championship was that afternoon, with the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies.
He later claimed he was “getting lost.” But the delay was deemed a breach of Canons 2A and 3A of the Alaska Court System’s policies.
The second incident involved the way, in the presence of court staff, DiBenedetto had a habit of discussing and reenacting courtroom testimony, sometimes mimicking voices or comments of individuals belonging to ethnic groups other than his own. Typically this would mean mimicking Native Alaskans’ way of speaking in rural parts of the region. This conduct was found to violate Canon 2A and Alaska’s Healthy Workplace Policy by creating an appearance of bias and undermining confidence in the judiciary.
After issuing formal investigation notices on April 9 and another notice on May 22, the Commission conducted special meetings on April 29 and May 28, with DiBenedetto and his counsel present at the April meeting. A unanimous decision was made to move directly to a public hearing, where the Commission accepted agreed findings on June 27 and formally recommended a reprimand on July 3. DiBenedetto put up no fight.
The Alaska Supreme Court will make the final determination as to whether to accept the Commission’s recommendation, decide how the reprimand will be delivered, and determine any further action. DeBenedetto has been on paid leave since March.
Read the findings at this link:
This issue is rampant in rural Alaska. Judicial staff are known for their racial slurs. It’s demeaning. These have been reported but due to personnel laws and lack of people who want to live and work in rural Alaska nothing becomes of it.
Most of the public does not know that virtually ALL judges are treated as GODS by counsel, staff and everyone else. A few – the really good ones – are humble and honored to serve. (I have encountered a some good ones). Arrogance and entitlement are common. Many judges have similar educational and work backgrounds. Graduates of certain law schools are favored and employment in the Attorney General’s office is almost a prerequisite. It would take non-retention of several judges by the voters to alter things. And that seems unlikely.
Paid leave. Well, Alaska is rolling in money. Why not?
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. First get him out of court; then fire him.