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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Judge J. Wayne Griego Removed from Presiding Over DWI-Drug Court


Associated Press
      A Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judge accused of fixing tickets for family, friend and court staff has been removed from presiding over DWI-Drug Court.
    The state Judicial Standards Commission has recommended the state Supreme Court suspend Judge J. Wayne Griego for 90 days without pay after hearing the allegations.
    "At this time, because of the seriousness of the allegations against Judge Wayne Griego, I have decided it is in the best interest of the DWI-Drug Court program to remove him as one of the volunteer judges presiding over a DWI-Drug Court,'' the chief judge of the metropolitan court, Judith Nakamura, said in a statement released by her office.
    Griego will still preside over such things as traffic violations and first court appearances.
    The Judicial Standards Commission concluded last week that Griego "knowingly involved himself'' in fixing tickets. The commission, which found he committed misconduct in 14 of 19 counts, asked the Supreme Court to formally reprimand him.
    The Associated Press left a message Thursday seeking comment from Griego.

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