Colorado AG to Stay on Whistleblower Suit Over Judicial Bribery Claims
A judge ruled the Colorado Attorney General will remain as counsel in a whistleblower suit involving alleged judicial bribery cover-up.
Why it matters: This decision keeps the state’s top legal officer involved in a headline-grabbing case centered on allegations of judicial corruption and retaliation, while Colorado faces mounting scrutiny over judicial conduct and oversight mechanisms.
- A former judicial discipline attorney alleges Colorado Supreme Court justices covered up a $2.7M bribery scheme and fired him for whistleblowing.
- A judge barred efforts to remove the state Attorney General from defending the state in the suit.
- Judicial misconduct complaints rose to 473 in 2025, up nearly 29% from 2024—a record high.
- Recent commission reports spotlight multiple judge resignations and censures tied to misconduct.
The Colorado Attorney General will continue representing the state in high-stakes litigation brought by the former executive director of its judicial discipline commission. The plaintiff, once the top watchdog for judicial misconduct in Colorado, claims Supreme Court justices orchestrated a $2.7 million bribery cover-up and retaliated by firing him.
- A judge denied requests to disqualify the AG's office from defense duties, cementing the state’s position in the ongoing legal battle.
- This high-profile dispute arrives alongside a surge in judicial discipline activity. The Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline received 473 misconduct complaints in 2025, a nearly 29% increase over 2024 and the highest in a decade.
- The commission issued private censures or reprimands to three judges in 2025, though their identities remain confidential.
- Recent judicial discipline actions include the resignation of District Court Judge Justin B. Haenlein for repeated misconduct and San Miguel County Court Judge Sean K. Murphy for conduct affected by undisclosed health issues.
- Proceedings are ongoing against Montezuma County Court Judge Ian J. MacLaren regarding his handling of a criminal matter and related law enforcement interactions.
Anne Mangiardi, executive director of the judicial discipline commission, attributes the complaint surge to increased transparency and media visibility: "I think this increase is positive and there’s a couple of factors that are going on. One is that we are in the press. More people know we exist."
The ruling ensures the Attorney General’s continued role in defending state interests, as Colorado’s judicial oversight faces heightened public scrutiny and legal professionals track possible ripple effects on governance and oversight statewide.
By the numbers:
- 473 — misconduct complaints received by the commission in 2025, up 29% from 2024
- 3 — judges received private reprimands or censures in 2025
- 2 — judges resigned following misconduct or health-related issues in 2025
Yes, but: Details of the alleged $2.7M bribery scheme remain undisclosed, and identities of reprimanded judges are confidential.