Judge Peter McBrien Felony Criminal Prosecution Records Leaked by Whistleblower Reveal False, Misleading Testimony to CJP

Friday Document Dump - CJPR Exclusive

In 2000, Judge Peter McBrien faced 
a felony criminal charge for the 
destruction of trees in a public park.

The whistleblower leaked criminal investigation report of Judge Peter McBrien by Sacramento County District Attorney's Office Criminal Investigator Craig Tourte is embedded at the end of this post.

To view additional records from the 2000 prosecution and conviction of McBrien, click here. To read the Sacramento News and Review cover story about the case, click here.

In 2009, McBrien was caught lying under oath to the Commission on Judicial Performance about the circumstances surrounding his 2000 criminal conviction. 

The CJP ultimately declined to remove McBrien from the bench, instead imposing ostensible discipline of "public censure."  The CJP did not hold McBrien accountable for his false testimony during the judicial misconduct prosecution. 

Court watchdogs allege that the judge also is responsible for a family court criminal racketeering enterprise involving collusion and kickbacks between judges and divorce attorneys who also work as part-time judges in the same court. Click here for an investigative report on the allegations by Sacramento Family Court News.

McBrien retired from the bench in 2014, but was authorized to continue working as a family court commissioner by controversial Sacramento County Presiding Judge Robert Hight and troubled family court Supervising Judge James Mize. Hight testified as a character witness in support of McBrien at the judge's 2009 CJP prosecution. Mize also testified as a character witness for McBrien.  

Criminal Investigation Report Judge Peter McBrien Sacramento Superior Court - Criminal Case Against Hon. Pe... by California Judicial Branch News Network - Independent Investigative Reporting on California Courts