Magistrate Judge Reuben Galvan (resigned)

Galvan resigned in May 2005 while battling charges that he raped and solicited a bribe from a woman in August 2004. After two hung juries, prosecutors dropped the charges.

In a statement he gave to police during the rape investigation, Galvan admitted to actions that may violate the Code of Judicial Conduct. While drinking and flirting in a bar, he discussed with the woman a pending battery case against her husband, though she was the alleged victim and believed he was the judge. He took the woman for a ride in his Porsche, though he told police he had too much to drink before driving.

In July, the high court barred Galvan from ever again holding judicial office in New Mexico, but not because it found that the commission presented “clear and convincing evidence” of misconduct. The court issued its order because Galvan failed to respond to its request for an argument against a permanent ban from the bench.

Galvan’s accuser in the rape case is now suing him in federal court.

Key articles:
• Aug. 30: Former Magistrate Galvan sued over rape allegation
• July 25: In the end, Galvan simply gave up fighting
• July 24: Galvan, though barred by court from holding office, not found to have violated judicial ethics
• July 21: BREAKING NEWS: High court says Galvan can’t be a judge ever again