FILED

FEB 2 7 2019
COMMISSION ON
JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE

STATE OF CALIFORNIA
BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL PERFORMANCE

INQUIRY CONCERNING DECISION AND ORDER IMPOSING

FORMER JUDGE PUBLIC CENSURE AND BAR
STEVEN C. BAILEY,
No. 202

INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

This disciplinary matter concerns Judge Steven C. Bailey, a former judge of the El
Dorado County Superior Court. Judge Bailey was elected to the bench in 2008, and
retired on August 31, 2017.
The commission commenced this inquiry with the filing of its Notice of Formal
Proceedings (Notice) on February 20, 2018. The Notice, as amended on May 7, 2018,
charged Judge Bailey with: (1) improperly allowing a business to use his testimonial on its
website, without assuring that it did not use his judicial title; (2) failing to disclose that his
son worked on commission for CHI Monitoring, LLC (CHI) and made reports to the court,

when, in five cases, the judge ordered criminal defendants to use CHI services; (3) ordering
a defendant to pay restitution to CHI in violation of the law, based on a letter from his son;
(4) failing to disclose that the owner of CHI, Charles Holland, was his friend and former
client, and attended strategy meetings for the judge's judicial campaign; (5) appointing
Attorney Bradley Clark as a special master in a matter pending before the judge, without
disclosing that Clark was a personal friend; (6) improperly receiving gifts from Court
Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Attorney Clark, and Lincoln Law School; (7)
failing to report and inaccurately reporting travel-related payments or reimbursements the
judge received in connection with judicial education programs he attended; (8)
commenting in the courthouse to a member of court staff and two judges that he knew his
He is in fact running for CA Attorney General 2022
race
shirt was nice because he bought it from a “gay guy” in Paris, and “gays only have nice
clothes … gays really know how to dress”; (9) between August 2016 and August 2017,
while a sitting judge, using his judicial title and lending the prestige of judicial office to
raise funds for and promote his campaign, potential campaign, or exploratory committee to
run as a candidate for California Attorney General, and engaging in political and campaign
activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the
judiciary; (10) failing to file a Candidate Intention Statement to run for Attorney General
until after his campaign had received at least $17,749 in campaign contributions, in
violation of the Political Reform Act; (11) while a sitting judge, authorizing or permitting
his Southern California Campaign Coordinator, Martha Romero, to use his judicial title and
the prestige of his judicial office to promote his candidacy by creating a “Judge Steven
Bailey” Facebook page, with frequent references to his judicial title; and (12) while a
sitting judge, allowing Romero to use her law firm’s Facebook page to promote the judge’s
candidacy, with reference to his judicial title.
The Supreme Court appointed three special masters who held an evidentiary
hearing and reported to the commission. The masters are Hon. Kenneth R. Yegan,
Associate Justice of the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Six; Hon.
Louis R. Hanoian, Judge of the San Diego County Superior Court; and Hon. William D.
Lehman, Judge of the Imperial County Superior Court. Judge Bailey is represented by
James A. Murphy, Esq., Janet L. Everson, Esq., and Joseph S. Leveroni, Esq., of Murphy,
Pearson, Bradley & Feeney, in San Francisco, California. The examiners for the
commission are Mark A. Lizarraga, Esq., and Sei Shimoguchi, Esq.
A six-day evidentiary hearing was held before the special masters commencing
September 4, 2018. The masters’ report to the commission, containing their findings of
fact and conclusions of law, was filed on November 15, 2018. Oral argument before the
commission was heard on January 30, 2019.
The masters found that Judge Bailey engaged in misconduct as to each of the
charges in the Notice, with the exception of count three (appointing Attorney Clark as a
special master). The masters also found, in aggravation, that Judge Bailey received a

2
strong advisory letter in 2013 for delaying 15 cases. The masters found no circumstances
in mitigation.
The facts are largely undisputed. There is considerable disagreement between the
parties, however, on the legal conclusions reached by the masters. As to many of the
charges, Judge Bailey contends that his actions did not amount to misconduct or that he
engaged in a lower level of misconduct than found by the masters. The examiner objects
to the masters’ conclusion that the judge did not engage in misconduct in appointing his
friend as a special master without, at minimum, disclosing the relationship. As to a
number of counts, the examiner objects to the masters’ conclusion that the judge engaged
in the lowest level of misconduct, improper action, rather than prejudicial conduct.
We adopt the factual findings of the masters, and, at times, include additional facts
supported by clear and convincing evidence. For reasons we explain, we adopt the
masters’ legal conclusions in some instances, and reach our own independent legal
conclusions in other instances. We respectfully disagree with the masters’ determination
that Judge Bailey did not engage in misconduct in appointing his friend as a special master
without disclosure or disqualification. We conclude that Judge Bailey engaged in
prejudicial conduct in seven of the counts charged in the Notice, which includes a course of
prejudicial conduct over a period of a year while conducting an actual or exploratory
campaign for nonjudicial office, and that he engaged in improper action in eight instances.
As the masters noted, Judge Bailey has his own views on appropriate conduct for a
judge, and his views are misinformed and erroneous. Based on the breadth and nature of
Judge Bailey’s misconduct over the entire course of his judicial career, his prior
discipline, and his failure to appreciate the impropriety of much of his misconduct, we
conclude there is a strong likelihood that Judge Bailey would engage in subsequent
misconduct if he were to serve in a judicial capacity in the future. In order to protect the
public and maintain public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary,
the commission has determined to censure and bar former Judge Steven C. Bailey from
seeking or holding judicial office, or accepting a position or an assignment as a judicial
officer, subordinate judicial officer or judge pro tem with any court in the State of

3
California, or accepting reference of work from any California state court, at any time in
the future. (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18(d).)
II.
LEGAL STANDARDS
The examiner has the burden of proving the charges by clear and convincing
evidence. (Broadman v. Commission on Judicial Performance (1998) 18 Cal.4th 1079,
1090 (Broadman).) “Evidence of a charge is clear and convincing so long as there is a
‘high probability’ that the charge is true. [Citations.]” (Ibid.) Factual findings of the
masters are entitled to special weight because the masters have “the advantage of
observing the demeanor of the witnesses.” (Ibid; Inquiry Concerning Freedman (2007)
49 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 223, 232.) Legal conclusions of the masters are entitled to less
deference because the commission has expertise with respect to the law of judicial
misconduct. (See, e.g., Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 1090; Adams v. Commission
on Judicial Performance (1995) 10 Cal.4th 866, 880 (Adams); Fletcher v. Commission on
Judicial Performance (1998) 19 Cal.4th 865, 878 (Fletcher).)
A violation of the California Code of Judicial Ethics constitutes one of three levels
of judicial misconduct: willful misconduct, prejudicial misconduct, or improper action.
(Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18, subd. (d).) Willful misconduct is (1) unjudicial conduct that is
(2) committed in bad faith (3) by a judge acting in his judicial capacity. The second most
serious level of misconduct is prejudicial conduct, “conduct prejudicial to the
administration of justice that brings the judicial office into disrepute.” (Cal. Const., art.
VI, § 18, subd. (d).) Prejudicial conduct is either conduct that occurs in good faith but
which nevertheless would appear to an objective observer to be “ ‘prejudicial to public
esteem for the judicial office’ [citation],” or willful misconduct out of office.
(Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 1092.) The least serious level of misconduct,
improper action, occurs when the judge’s conduct violates the canons, but the
circumstances do not rise to the level of prejudicial misconduct and do not bring the
judiciary into disrepute. (Inquiry Concerning Saucedo (2015) 62 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 1,

4
82; Inquiry Concerning Ross (2005) 49 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 79, 89, citing Adams, supra,
10 Cal.4th at pp. 897-899.)
III.
FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
A. Count One
In April 2016, Judge Bailey retained the Redd Group to survey voters about a
local attorney’s judicial campaign. After the election, Judge Bailey called David Cooper,
an employee of the Redd Group, to compliment him on the survey results. Cooper asked
the judge if he could use the judge’s comments as a testimonial for the Redd Group.
Judge Bailey agreed. He did not ask Cooper how the comments would be used or where
they would be published. Cooper testified that he told the judge that the testimonial
would be published on the Redd Group’s website; the judge testified he did not remember
receiving this information. Judge Bailey did not authorize Cooper to use his judicial title,
but did not tell him to avoid using the title. The judge was not compensated for the
testimonial.
The testimonial, published on two separate pages of the Redd Group website,
stated:
I was helping a fellow attorney run for county judge. Our
mail went out ahead of schedule and The Redd Group
accommodated for our poll to be done accordingly with many
more respondents than were promised. We got the detailed
results in less than 24 hours. I recommend the Redd Group
for all your polling needs. Excellent work!
– Steven C. Bailey
One page of the website included a link to the judge’s personal website, which
identified him as a judge. Headings on the Redd Group website identified Steven Bailey
as a superior court judge. The website also featured a photograph of Judge Bailey in his
judicial robe. The judge did not provide the photograph or authorize its use. Cooper did
not inform the judge that his photograph would be used.

5
 The masters concluded that the judge engaged in improper action by allowing his
name to be used on the website, without reviewing the final text of the testimonial or
instructing the Redd Group to avoid using his judicial title and photograph in judicial
robes. The masters concluded that the judge violated canons 2 (a judge shall avoid
impropriety and the appearance of impropriety in all of the judge’s activities), and 2B(2)
(judges are prohibited from using the prestige of judicial office or judicial title to advance
the personal or pecuniary interests of the judges or others). We reach the same legal
conclusions.
Neither party objects to these factual findings or legal conclusions.
B. Count Two A
1. Findings of Fact
In five cases, between October 2009 and April 2014,1 Judge Bailey released a
defendant charged with an alcohol-related crime on the defendant’s own recognizance, on
the condition that the defendant participate in the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol
Monitoring (SCRAM) program. SCRAM monitors alcohol consumption through a
bracelet device provided to defendants. At the time the orders were made, CHI was the
only local provider of alcohol monitoring services.
Judge Bailey’s son, John Bailey, was employed by CHI as a case manager and
worked on commission. He received a percentage of the payments CHI received from
every SCRAM participant he monitored. John Bailey installed the SCRAM device,
monitored for violations, wrote reports for the court, and set up payments. In each of the
five cases, John Bailey or another CHI employee sent correspondences directly to Judge
Bailey concerning the defendants’ participation in SCRAM.

1
The five cases and the dates of the orders are (1) People v. Angelica Godinez,
April 16, 2014; (2) People v. Julian Butler, March 10, 2014; (3) People v. Shawn Price,
Feburary 19, 2014; (4) People v. Jason Jacobsen, October 30, 2009; and (5) People v.
Camille DeSpain, October 23, 2009.

6
 The judge did not disclose that his son was employed by CHI and might
correspond with the court concerning defendants’ participation in, and compliance with,
the program.
In April 2009, Judge Bailey sought an ethics opinion from the California Judges
Association (CJA) hotline, because he was confused about his responsibilities when
referring defendants to the company where his son was employed. CJA gave Judge
Bailey an informal opinion, based on the facts provided by the judge.
CJA’s informal opinion stated:
Inquiry:
Newly appointed J’s adult son is a commissioned salesperson
with a company that provides monitoring ankle bracelets for
J’s county jail. The defendants utilizing this company’s
services all reside out of county. Son’s company comes in
contact with defendants when they are referred by the county
probation department. Company assesses whether or not
defendant meets the financial criteria to obtain the monitoring
bracelet and if so, provides the bracelet and performs the
monitoring function. Son occasionally comes in personal
contact with a defendant. Neither J nor son has an ownership
interest in Company. J asks whether there is anything about
this arrangement that requires J to disqualify, disclose, or take
any other action.

Informal Response:
No. However, J should disclose if son were to testify in J’s
court on an issue of violation of the terms and conditions of
use of the bracelet by a defendant.2

The masters found the CJA opinion assumed that CHI comes into contact with the
defendants when they are “referred by the county probation department.” Further, the
masters found that the judge did not inform CJA that his son corresponded directly with

2
Sometime after Judge Bailey received the informal opinion, the CJA ethics
committee modified its opinion to state that Judge Bailey should disqualify himself if his
son were to testify. The evidence does not establish whether Judge Bailey was made
aware of this modification.

7
him concerning the defendants’ enrollment and compliance in the program. We concur
with these findings, which are supported by clear and convincing evidence.
Judge Bailey contacted the CJA hotline and spoke with Judge Robert Glusman.
Judge Glusman testified that when he would receive a call from a judge, it was his
practice to take notes and relay the facts back to the judge two or three times to make sure
they were accurate. He further testified that Judge Bailey did not tell him that his son
would provide written monitoring reports to the judge.
Judge Bailey asserts that he did not inform CJA that his son corresponded directly
with him because, at the time he sought the opinion, he had not yet referred a defendant
to SCRAM, and did not know he would be doing so. This is inconsistent with the judge’s
testimony and statement in his opening brief that he asked for an ethics opinion because
he “was confused as to what his responsibilities were when he made referrals to
SCRAM . . . .” (Italics added.) Further, the issue is whether the judge was justified in
relying on the CJA informal opinion at the time the five cases were before him. By that
time, he knew his son was reporting directly to him. He could have asked for another
opinion once it became apparent that he would be making the referrals and his son would
be reporting directly to him.
Judge Bailey objects to the masters’ finding that, in each of the five cases, he
personally ordered the defendant to participate in SCRAM monitoring, because there was
no objection from the defendant or the district attorney in any of the cases. The evidence
established through minute orders and transcripts admitted into evidence that the judge
made a SCRAM order in each case. The fact that no one objected does not change the
fact that the judge made the order.
2. Conclusions of Law
The masters concluded that the judge’s conduct violated canon 3E(2), which
requires a judge to disclose on the record all information relevant to disqualification. The
masters further concluded that the judge engaged in improper action, rather than
prejudicial conduct, because the failure to disclose was consistent with the advice he
received from the ethics hotline. The examiner contends that the conduct constitutes

8
prejudicial conduct because the judge provided CJA with inaccurate and incomplete
facts. Judge Bailey contends that he did not engage in any misconduct because he
followed the advice he was given.
We conclude that the judge engaged in prejudicial conduct. Judge Bailey failed to
provide CJA with important facts relevant to the question of whether he was required to
disclose that his son worked at CHI – that he, rather than the probation department,
would be making the referrals, and that his son would be reporting directly to him
concerning monitoring and compliance. While judges should be encouraged to seek
ethics opinions when uncertain about their ethical obligations, when doing so, the judge
must provide complete and accurate facts relevant to the ethical question presented.
A judge has a duty to disclose on the record information that is reasonably relevant
to disqualification, even if the judge believes there is no actual basis for recusal. (Canon
3E(2).) A judge is required to recuse when a person aware of the facts might reasonably
entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be impartial. (Code Civ. Proc., § 170.1,
subd. (a)(6)(A)(iii).)
We conclude that the fact that the judge’s son worked on commission for CHI and
reported directly to Judge Bailey concerning compliance with SCRAM was information
reasonably relevant to disqualification and, thus, required disclosure before Judge Bailey
ordered a defendant to participate in the program. Indeed, the CJA informal opinion
specifically advised Judge Bailey that disclosure would be necessary if his son were
providing testimony to the court. For these purposes, there is no meaningful distinction
between written reports and testimony. They are merely different vehicles designed to
provide relevant information to the court.
Further, we conclude that an objective person would find the judge’s conduct in
failing to disclose this information to be prejudicial to the public esteem for the judiciary.
The fact that the judge relied on an ethics opinion that did not include pertinent facts
would not, in our view, change the public’s negative perception of the conduct. As such,
we conclude that the judge violated canons 1 (a judge shall uphold the integrity and
independence of the judiciary), 2, 2A (a judge shall respect and comply with the law and

9
act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and
impartiality of the judiciary), and 3E(2), and engaged in prejudicial conduct.
C. Count Two B

Judge Bailey is charged in count two B with ordering a defendant to pay

restitution to CHI in violation of the law, based on a letter from his son who worked for
CHI, in violation of canons 1, 2, 2A, 2B(1) (a judge shall not allow family relationships
to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or convey or permit others to convey the
impression that any individual is in a special position to influence the judge), and 3B(2)
(a judge shall be faithful to the law and maintain professional competence in the law).
The masters did not address this count. We reach our own factual findings and legal
conclusions based on our independent review of the record.3
1. Findings of Fact
The following undisputed facts are established by clear and convincing evidence.
On November 25, 2009, in the matter of People v. Jacobsen, a letter signed by
John Bailey, Judge Bailey’s son, on CHI letterhead and addressed to Judge Bailey was
faxed to the court. The letter indicated that the defendant had completed the SCRAM
program, but still owed $140 and had agreed to a payment plan, with payments to be
completed on December 11, 2009.
On December 10, 2009, John Bailey faxed a letter to his father seeking restitution
of $140 from Jacobson, and stating that Jacobsen had verbally agreed to a payment plan
but has since decided not to honor it.
Neither letter indicated that it was copied to the parties.
On December 18, 2009, Jacobsen appeared before Judge Bailey with counsel for
further proceedings on a violation of probation. Judge Bailey ordered Jacobsen to pay
“victim restitution” to CHI in the amount of $140.

3
Our determination of the appropriate level of discipline would be the same
without our findings of misconduct on counts two B and two C.

10
 2. Conclusions of Law
Direct victims of crime are entitled to restitution. (Cal. Const., art. I, § 28, subds.
(b)(13) & (e).) CHI was not the victim of Jacobsen’s crime, and thus was not entitled to
restitution.
Judge Bailey asserts that he made an error in word choice, and that he was
appropriately requiring the defendant to take responsibility for all aspects of his life,
including paying his debts. The judge has not, however, cited any authority authorizing a
court to order restitution or payment of a debt to a program that provided court-ordered
services to a defendant.
Judge Bailey maintains that, at most, he committed legal error, not misconduct.
The judge’s unauthorized order constituted more than legal error. Judge Bailey
ordered victim restitution to CHI, a business that was clearly not a victim of the
defendant’s crime, based on a letter from his son who worked on commission for CHI.
This created the appearance of favoritism, bias, and lack of impartiality.
We conclude that the judge violated canons 1, 2, 2A, 2B(1), and 3B(2). In our
view, an objective person would find the judge’s conduct in making an unauthorized
restitution order to a company where his son was employed, based on a letter from his
son, to be prejudicial to public esteem for the judiciary. As such, we conclude that the
judge engaged in prejudicial conduct.
D. Count Two C
Judge Bailey is charged in count two C with failing to disclose his relationship with
Charles Holland, the owner of CHI, when ordering defendants in the five cases identified
in count two A to participate in SCRAM, in violation of canons 1, 2, 2A, 2B(1) and 3E(2).
The masters did not address this count. We reach our own factual findings and legal
conclusions based on our independent review of the record, and undisputed facts.
1. Findings of Fact
The record establishes the following facts by clear and convincing evidence.
Charles Holland is the owner of CHI and employed the judge’s son John Bailey
during the period of the five cases identified in count two A. In those cases, the judge

11
ordered defendants to participate in SCRAM (two orders were made in 2009 and three
orders were made in 2014). At the time, CHI was the only local provider of SCRAM.
Holland has known Judge Bailey for approximately 20 years. Over 11 years ago,
before the judge took the bench in 2009, Holland retained the judge’s services as an
attorney. As a defense attorney, the judge referred clients to Holland, who at the time
was a bail bondsman. Two of the judge’s referrals to CHI occurred during the judge’s
first year on the bench.
Holland considers the judge to be his friend. Judge Bailey describes his
relationship with Holland as “more of a relationship professionally and within the
community,” than a social relationship.
Holland has been to the judge’s house on at least two occasions, once for a
campaign kickoff event and once to pick up a gun safe. He attended two strategy
meetings for Judge Bailey’s judicial campaign in 2008. Holland had lunch with the judge
and Clark after the judge took the bench. Judge Bailey is Holland’s Facebook “friend,”
one of hundreds of Holland’s Facebook “friends.”
2. Conclusions of Law
A judge has a duty to disclose on the record information that is reasonably relevant
to disqualification, even if the judge believes there is no actual basis for recusal. (Canon
3E(2).) Here, the applicable disqualification standard is whether a person aware of the
facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be impartial.
(Code Civ. Proc., § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(A)(iii).)
For purposes of our analysis, we accept Judge Bailey’s characterization of his
relationship with Holland as being more professional than social. That relationship,
however, went further than being members of the same professional organization or
having contacts at professional events. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Bailey had
represented Holland, and Holland had referred clients to him. Further, Holland had been
to the judge’s home, had attended strategy meetings for the judge’s judicial campaign,
and included the judge as one of his Facebook friends. Even if each of these facts taken
alone did not require disqualification, we conclude that the totality of these circumstances

12
was reasonably relevant to disqualification and required disclosure.4 As such, we
conclude that the judge violated canon 3E(2) by failing to disclose his prior contacts and
relationship with Holland when he ordered defendants to participate in a CHI program.
In the commission’s view, the conduct does not create an appearance of
impropriety or diminish public respect for the judiciary in violation of canons 1, 2, and
2A, or convey the impression that any individual is in a special position to influence the
judge in violation of canon 2B(1). We view the judge’s failure to disclose his
relationship with Holland differently than his failure to disclose that his son worked for
CHI. The public is more likely to question a judge’s integrity and impartiality when the
judge fails to disclose a relationship with an immediate family member. Further, Holland
was not monitoring SCRAM program participants or reporting to the court. As such, we
conclude that the disclosure violation constitutes improper action.
E. Count Three
1. Findings of Fact
On June 28, 2011, in Dorcich v. Tahoe Keys Property, No. SC20090034, Judge
Bailey appointed Attorney Bradley Clark as a special master, at the rate of $350 per hour in
a matter concerning shared pier and access easements for the beneficial use of five lots
located in the Tahoe Keys development in South Lake Tahoe. Judge Bailey had previously
modified a preliminary injunction that had been in place for several months. Clark was
appointed “to investigate violations of this order, review, approve and submit to the Court
for approval all tentatively approved applications for docks, piers, and floating structures.”
Clark was not on a court-approved list of special masters, and was appointed without input
from counsel.

4
In this regard, we note that Holland was not a party or an attorney in these
matters. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 170.1, subd. (a)(2)(B)(i) [Disqualification is required if
a party in the proceeding was a former client of the judge within the past two years];
Public Admonishment of Judge Jeff Ferguson (2017) [a judge has a duty to disclose being
Facebook “friends” with attorneys who have cases pending and who appear regularly
before the judge].)

13
 At the time of the appointment, Clark and the judge were friends and socialized
together, many times with their spouses. The judge had stayed overnight at Clark’s house
on at least one occasion. Clark had given the judge gifts of tickets to charity events.
Judge Bailey officiated at Clark’s wedding. One of the judge’s nephews was an associate
attorney at Clark’s law firm. Clark contributed to and consulted on the judge’s campaign
for judicial office. Judge Bailey did not disclose his personal relationship with Clark
when he appointed him as a special master.
None of the parties in the litigation objected to Clark’s appointment. At the time,
Clark had a general civil practice in El Dorado County, and was also a real estate broker.
The case settled shortly after Clark was appointed. He did not participate in the
settlement discussions. On August 9, 2011, the judge approved Clark’s fee of $1,715, to
be paid by the defendant. Clark received payment of his fee.
2. Conclusions of Law
The masters concluded that the examiner did not prove that the appointment
constitutes misconduct, because the judge had authority to appoint a special master and
Clark was qualified. The masters were not convinced that the appointment of Clark was
based on friendship, rather than competence. Based on this finding, to which we defer, we
agree with the masters that Judge Bailey did not violate canon 2B(1), which prohibits a
judge from allowing personal relationships to influence the judge’s conduct. We
respectfully disagree, however, with the masters’ conclusion that the judge did not have a
duty to, at minimum, disclose the nature of the relationship before making the appointment.
As previously noted, a judge has a duty to disclose on the record information that
is reasonably relevant to disqualification, and disqualification is required when a person
aware of the facts might reasonably entertain a doubt that the judge would be able to be
impartial. (Code Civ. Proc., § 170.1, subd. (a)(6)(A)(iii).) Clear and convincing
evidence establishes that the judge and Clark were friends who socialized together, at
times with their spouses; the judge received gifts from Clark; the judge’s nephew was
employed by Clark; and the judge officiated over Clark’s wedding. We concluded that,
at minimum, these facts required disclosure on the record before Judge Bailey appointed

14
Clark as special master. Knowing these facts, a party might have thought the judge
would be more inclined to approve Clark’s findings and recommendations because of
their friendship.
In finding no misconduct, the masters relied on the absence of an objection to the
appointment from the parties and the fact El Dorado County is a “small legal
community,” and that most of its members, “are likely to have known about the social
relationship between the judge and Clark.” The examiner contends that these factors are
not relevant to the issue of disclosure. We agree.
In determining the need to disclose, the same standard applies regardless of the
size of the community. In Inquiry Concerning Wasilenko (2005) 49 Cal.4th CJP Supp.
26, 46, the commission stated:
By their terms, the canons impose uniform statewide
standards. Whenever an assigned case involves a party the
judge “knows,” the judge must be particularly vigilant to
ensure the appearance and reality of independence and
impartiality. The situation may arise more frequently in a
small town than a major metropolitan area, but the judge’s
ethical duties are the same irrespective of population
statistics.

The risk of applying a different disclosure standard in a small community based on

the assumption that the parties and the attorneys know the judge’s relationships “is that
there may be someone involved in the proceeding who, in fact, does not know about the
relationships.” (Rothman et al., Cal. Judicial Conduct Handbook (4th ed. 2017) § 7:75,
p. 500.) Moreover, the purpose of disclosure is not only to inform the attorneys and
parties of information that may be relevant to disqualification but to uphold the integrity
and impartiality of the judiciary. (See Id. § 7:73, p. 495.)
The fact that there was no objection from the attorneys in the Dorcich case did not
relieve the judge of his obligation to disclose. There is no evidence that the attorneys and
parties were aware of the extent of the judge’s relationship with Clark at the time the
judge made the appointment.

15
 Thus, we conclude that the judge’s failure to, at minimum, disclose his
relationship with Clark constitutes a violation of canons 2, 2A, and 3E(2). In view of the
masters finding that the appointment was not made on the basis of friendship, we
conclude that the judge engaged in improper action, rather than prejudicial conduct.
F. Count Four
1. Findings of Fact
Between 2009 and 2012, Judge Bailey reported on his Fair Political Practices
Commission (FPPC) Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) that he received gifts
from CASA, Bradley Clark, and Lincoln Law School.
CASA Gifts
The gifts from CASA were: (1) tickets to the September 2009 CASAblanca event,
valued at $35; (2) tickets to the December 2009 Snowball fundraising event valued at
$50; and (3) in January 2011, tickets to another CASA fundraising event valued at $200.
Judge Bailey worked closely with CASA in his capacity as presiding juvenile
court judge. CASA volunteers routinely appear on behalf of children in adversary
proceedings before juvenile court judges. There is no evidence that the judge ever acted
in a judicial capacity to favor the organization.
Gifts from Bradley Clark
Clark gave Judge Bailey the following gifts: (1) in January 2010, $50 tickets to a
fundraiser for MORE (Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprises, Inc.); (2) in September
2010, $150 ticket to a CASA fundraiser; (3) in January 2011, $50 tickets to MORE
charity event; (4) in September 2011, a round of golf at Clark’s country club, valued at
$42; and (5) in January 2012, $50 ticket to another MORE event. The judge attended
these events as Clark’s guest. Both Clark and the judge had long supported the charities
at issue.
At the time, Clark and the judge were friends.

16
 Gift from Lincoln Law School
In March 2011, Judge Bailey accepted tickets to the Barristers Ball at his alma
mater, Lincoln Law School. He was an honored guest because he is an alumnus and a
local judge.
2. Conclusions of Law
Judges are precluded from accepting gifts from anyone, except under limited
circumstances, which we have determined are not applicable here. (Canon 4D(6).) Even
when the gift falls within one of the specified exceptions, the judge may not accept the
gift if it could create an appearance of impropriety. (Canons 2, 2A.)5
Gifts from CASA
The masters concluded that Judge Bailey violated canons 1, 2, 2A, and 4D(6),6
and engaged in prejudicial misconduct in accepting gifts from CASA. The masters
reasoned that because CASA volunteers are frequent participants in juvenile court
proceedings, Judge Bailey’s acceptance of gifts from the organization could cause an
objective observer to doubt his impartiality in matters concerning those volunteers. We
agree and reach the same legal conclusions.
Judge Bailey maintains that his acceptance of tickets to the 2009 Snowball Event
was proper because he was invited to that CASA event by his brother-in-law, Supervisor
Ron Briggs, the event speaker. As such, he contends the gift fell within the exception for
gifts from a relative whose appearance or interest in a case would require the judge’s
disqualification (former canon 4D(6)(f)).7 The judge, however, identified the gift to have

5
Canon 4D(6) was amended, effective 2013, to state that the exceptions to the
gift prohibition apply only if acceptance of the gift “would neither influence nor
reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge in the performance of judicial
duties.”
6
The masters also concluded that the judge violated canon 4D(5), which prohibits
judges from accepting gifts from a “party” whose interests have come or are reasonably
likely to come before the judge. While CASA has an interest in matters that come before
Judge Bailey, CASA is not a party. Therefore, we do not find a violation of canon 4D(5).

17
come from CASA on his Form 700, without any reference to Briggs. Further, even if the
ticket came from Briggs, the judge’s acceptance of the gift was improper because Briggs
was a CASA director.
The judge contends that his acceptance of the other CASA tickets was proper
because there is no evidence that he acted in a judicial capacity in favor of CASA. The
gift was improper under canon 4D(6), regardless of whether there was favorable judicial
action in return for the gift.
Moreover, accepting gifts, even nominal gifts, from entities with interests that are
reasonably likely to come before the court creates an appearance of impropriety and lack
of impartiality in violation of canons 1, 2, and 2A.8 CASA volunteers frequently appear
in court and advocate for children. They may be called to testify and they may take a
position contrary to the position or interests of parties in the proceedings, such as the
parents. The CJA Ethics Committee has issued ethics opinions stating that a judge who
sits in a juvenile court may not accept a gift of attendance at a CASA fundraiser event.
(CJA, 2011/2012 Jud. Ethics Update, p. 5 [juvenile court judge may not accept an
invitation to attend CASA fundraiser as guest of CASA]; CJA, 2003/2004 Jud. Ethics
Update, p. 5 [commissioner in dependency court may attend CASA fundraiser but may
not accept luncheon as gift from CASA].)
Judge Bailey argues that, given the laudable service CASA provides, acceptance
of the gifts did not prejudice public esteem for the judiciary and does not constitute
prejudicial conduct. He contends that judges should be involved in organizations that

7
Former canon 4D(6)(f) was in effect at the time this gift was accepted. A
similar exception is now in canon 4D(6)(a), which provides an exception for gifts from “a
person whose preexisting relationship with the judge would prevent the judge under
Canon 3E from hearing a case involving that person.”
8
In 2018, canon 4D(6) was amended to include subsection (i), which provides an
exception to the gift prohibition for nominal gifts “provided the gift is not from a lawyer,
law firm, or other person likely to appear before the court on which the judge serves.”
The commentary states a judge should carefully weigh acceptance of any nominal gift to
avoid any appearance of impropriety or bias or any appearance that the judge is misusing
the prestige of judicial office.

18
support at-risk children. The issue here is not the judge’s involvement in a program for
at-risk youth, but his acceptance of free attendance to CASA events as gifts.
We agree with the masters that acceptance of three gifts, even nominal gifts, from
an organization that frequently appears in court proceedings before the judge could cause
an objective observer to doubt the judge’s impartiality in matters involving those
volunteers.
Gifts from Bradley Clark

The masters concluded that acceptance of the gifts from Clark constitutes
improper action. We agree, and also conclude that the judge violated canons 1, 2, 2A,
and 4D(6).
Judge Bailey contends that he did not commit misconduct because the gifts from
Bradley fell within the exception under former canon 4D(6)(f) for gifts from close
personal friends whose appearance before the court would require the judge’s
disqualification. We disagree. Clark testified that he considers the judge a friend, but not
a close friend. Moreover, Judge Bailey’s position is inconsistent with the position he
took concerning count three, in which he maintained that he was not disqualified from
appointing Clark to be a special master in Dorcich.
Further, gift exceptions are not absolute; a judge may not accept a gift if to do so
would create an appearance of impropriety (canons 2, 2A).9 Judge Bailey accepted a
round of golf from Clark a few months after he appointed Clark as a special master in
Dorcich and a month after he approved his fees. The judge asserts that there is no
evidence that the round of golf was a gift for appointing Clark. The question, however, is
whether it could have created that appearance. In the commission’s view, it could
reasonably create that appearance.
The examiner urges the commission to conclude that the judge engaged in
prejudicial misconduct. While accepting the gifts could have created an appearance of

9
Canon 4D(6) currently states that the gift exceptions apply provided “that
acceptance would not reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge in the
performance of judicial duties.”

19
impropriety, we agree with the masters that there is not clear and convincing evidence
that the conduct would appear to an objective observer, knowing all the facts, to be
“prejudicial to public esteem for the judicial office.” (See Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th
at p. 1092.) In this regard, we have considered that there is no evidence that Clark
appeared before the judge as a party or an attorney representing a party, and that the
judge reported the gifts on his Form 700, indicating that he was not attempting to conceal
the gifts from the public.
Gift from Lincoln Law School
The masters concluded that Judge Bailey’s acceptance of a ticket from Lincoln
Law School violated canon 4D(6), and constitutes improper action. Neither party objects
to this conclusion, which we adopt.10
G. Count Five
1. Findings of Fact
In November 2009, Judge Bailey attended a judicial education program at
Northwestern University School of Law. The program paid for his travel, lodging, group
meals, and related expenses. The judge did not report these payments on his 2009 Form
700.
In 2011, Judge Bailey attended a judicial education program at George Mason
University School of Law (GMU) in Arlington, Virginia. The program paid for his
lodging and group meals and reimbursed him for his travel expenses. The judge did not
report the payments and reimbursements on his 2011 Form 700.
In his Answer to the Notice, the judge stated that he thought his attendance at the
2009 Northwestern program and 2011 GMU program did not have to be reported on his
Form 700.

10
As did the masters, we note that canon 4D(6)(h) provides an exception for
invitations to events sponsored by educational institutions with which the judge is
associated, if the same invitation is offered to persons who are not judges and are
similarly situated. There is no evidence that other alumni were offered free tickets to this
event.

20
 The judge also attended two educational programs at GMU in March and October
of 2014. The programs paid for his lodging and group meals and reimbursed him for his
travel expenses.
In 2014, before he submitted his 2014 Form 700, Judge Bailey was informed by
emails from both a court clerk and Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury that any travel
expenses associated with judicial education programs must be declared on the judge’s
Form 700.
On March 6, 2015, Judge Bailey filed his 2014 Form 700. On schedule E (Travel
Payments, Advances and Reimbursements), he listed the two GMU programs he attended
in 2014, and described the business activity of the source of income as “Judicial
Education – tuition,” but he did not fill in the amount of the payments received, or answer
whether they were gifts or income. The programs did not charge tuition.
On March 11, 2015, the FPPC sent Judge Bailey a letter indicating that the judge
had not reported the amount and type of payment. On April 1, 2015, the judge filed an
amended Form 700 for 2014. On his amended Form 700, the judge inaccurately reported
that he received $527.93 for the October GMU program. He actually received $1,348.51
for lodging and meals and $459.20 for travel.
The masters found that the judge inadvertently forgot to include some of his
expenses. We defer to this finding.
2. Conclusions of Law
The masters concluded that Judge Bailey’s incomplete and inaccurate reporting of
payments on his Form 700 constitutes improper action, rather than prejudicial conduct,
because his actions were inadvertent and negligent. Based on the masters’ factual findings,
to which we defer, we reach the same conclusion for the reasons discussed below.
The examiner contends that the judge engaged in prejudicial conduct in submitting
inaccurate information on his amended 2014 Form 700, which was signed under penalty
of perjury. In Inquiry Concerning Kreep (2017) 3 Cal.5th CJP Supp. 1, 10, the
commission found that Judge Kreep engaged in prejudicial conduct in submitting a Form
700, which erroneously stated he was chairman of a political action committee and

21
received salary from that committee. More than a year later, the judge filed an amended
Form 700 and stated that he erroneously listed himself as chairman, and that the money
he received was for legal services. The masters found that the judge acted with reckless
disregard for the truth. The commission concluded that the judge committed prejudicial
conduct, because, “an objective person would find a judge’s conduct in signing an
official document under penalty of perjury with a reckless disregard for the truth to be
prejudicial to public esteem for the judicial office.” (Id. at pp. 14-16.)
We agree with the examiner that a judge should be expected to take exceptional
care in filling out FPPC forms, particularly when signed under penalty of perjury. Here,
however, unlike in Kreep, the masters did not find that the judge acted with a reckless
disregard for the truth. Instead, they found that Judge Bailey inadvertently forgot to
include some of the income he received relating to the October 2014 program. Based on
this finding, we are not convinced that an objective observer would find the judge’s
conduct to be prejudicial to public esteem for the judiciary. This does not mean Judge
Bailey did not engage in misconduct. He violated canons 2, 2A, and 3 (judge shall
perform the duties of the judicial office competently and diligently [a judge is required to
file a Form 700]), and engaged in improper action.
H. Count Six
1. Findings of Fact
In May 2015, Judge Bailey had a conversation with administrative analyst
Suzanne Thurman, Judge Vicki Ashworth, and Judge Dylan Sullivan, while standing in
Thurman’s cubicle in the court’s administration building. Judge Sullivan complimented
the judge on the outfit he was wearing. Judge Bailey said he bought the outfit in France,
and the salesperson who put it together for him was gay. He explained that he knew it
looked good because gay men are “snappy” dressers. The conversation took place in an
open office area where other county employees would have been able to overhear the
conversation.
The tone of the conversation was lighthearted. Judge Ashworth and Thurman
testified they were offended by the comments, but Judge Sullivan was not offended.

22
 2. Conclusions of Law
The masters concluded that the judge violated canons 2, 2A, and 3C(1) (judge to
behave impartially in the performance of administrative duties and shall not engage in
speech that would reasonably be perceived as bias or prejudice), and engaged in improper
action. We concur and reach the same conclusions.
Because his remarks did not perpetuate invidious or hateful stereotypes, we agree
with the masters that an objective observer would not view the remarks as prejudicial to
public esteem for the judiciary, and thus the remarks constitute improper action, rather
than prejudicial misconduct. This does not mean that such remarks are proper. As
observed by the masters, the judge’s comments “reflect stereotypical attitudes about gay
men.” It is improper for a judge to make remarks that reflect stereotypes based on sexual
orientation, whether negative or positive. We agree with the masters that “[s]uch remarks
indicate that the speaker has preconceived ideas about a particular group, a characteristic
that is contrary to the qualities of impartiality and propriety required of judges by our
Code of Judicial Ethics.”
I. Counts Seven and Nine
1. Summary of Charges and Legal Issues
Count seven alleges in general terms that between August 2016 and August 2017,
Judge Bailey used his judicial title and lent the prestige of judicial office to raise funds
for his campaign, potential campaign, or exploratory committee to run for California
Attorney General in 2018, personally solicited funds in support of his campaign for
nonjudicial office, and accepted campaign contributions for a nonjudicial office without
taking an unpaid leave of absence from his judicial office.
Count nine charges Judge Bailey with engaging in political and campaign activity
that is inconsistent with the integrity, independence, and impartiality of the judiciary, and
using his judicial title and prestige of his judicial office to promote his candidacy for
Attorney General, including but not limited to 25 specific instances of campaign or
potential campaign activity. In his Answer to the Notice, Judge Bailey admitted that he
attended and participated in each of the events specified in count nine.

23
 The California Code of Judicial Ethics prohibits an active judge from using the
prestige of judicial office or the judicial title to advance the judge’s own pecuniary and
personal interests, and from personally soliciting funds for a nonjudicial candidate or
engaging in political or campaign activity that creates an appearance of impropriety or
lack of impartiality. (Canons 2B(2), 5, 5A(3).) A judge may, however, fundraise and
campaign for nonjudicial office by taking an unpaid leave of absence. (Cal. Const.,
art. VI, § 17; canon 6H [a judge who is on leave while running for public office is exempt
from complying with canons 2B(2), 4C(1) (appearance at public hearing) and 5].)
The masters concluded that the judge engaged in prejudicial conduct by raising
funds and campaigning for a partisan, nonjudicial office while working as a judge,
explicitly referring to his judicial title, and relying on the prestige of judicial office. This
conduct, the masters concluded, is fundamentally inconsistent with the independence,
impartiality and integrity of the judiciary. We agree.
Judge Bailey alleges that he did not engage in misconduct because he was
conducting an exploratory, rather than actual, campaign. Further, he asserts that if the
canons are interpreted to prevent him as a sitting judge from campaigning for nonjudicial
office, without first taking an unpaid leave of absence, the canons violate his First
Amendment rights. The masters rejected these arguments, as do we. Judge Bailey
violated the Code of Judicial Ethics by soliciting contributions and conducting both an
exploratory and actual campaign for nonjudicial office, and using the prestige of judicial
office to do so. The applicable canons further a compelling state interest in preserving
public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, and fostering the
appearance that judicial decisions are not politically motivated.
2. Findings of Fact
On September 7, 2016, Judge Bailey personally signed and filed California Form
410, Statement of Organization Recipient Committee for Judge Steven Bailey – Attorney
General 2018. He solicited campaign contributions beginning in October 2016.
The Judge Steven Bailey – Attorney General 2018 committee filed three campaign
statements (Form 460) with the Secretary of State. Each statement was signed by Judge

24
Bailey. The statements indicated that the judge received the following contributions:
$8,224 for the period January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016; $15,353 for the period
January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017; and $3,609 for the period July 1, 2017 through
December 31, 2017.
Between August 2016 and August 30, 2017, the judge’s exploratory and actual
campaigns made frequent use of his judicial title and photographs of himself wearing his
judicial robe. He used email addresses and maintained a campaign website that featured
the user names “judgestevenc.bailey” and “judgestevenbailey.ag2018.” He distributed
campaign donation envelopes and “rack cards” that referred to him as a “sitting judge”
and stated that his “judicial experience and his legal and legislative skills make him
uniquely qualified to be California’s Attorney General in 2018.”
Prior to his judicial retirement, Judge Bailey spoke at numerous political events,
including in Whittier, Long Beach, Torrance, and Santa Fe Springs. He also attended the
Patriots Award Breakfast and Charity Banquet in Whittier in September 2016, and the
Mexican American Bar Association Judges Night & Awards Dinner in Los Angeles in
November 2016. At these events, he usually handed out donation envelopes that referred
to him as a sitting judge. Announcements for these events referred to his judicial title,
and some included a summary of his judicial background and stated that Judge Bailey
would be introducing his candidacy for California Attorney General. At the Santa Fe
Springs event on October 7, 2016, he handed out flyers, identifying him as “Judge Steven
Bailey,” with photographs of himself in his judicial robe and judge’s gavels.
When introduced at these events, Judge Bailey was referred to as both a sitting
judge and a candidate or prospective candidate for California Attorney General. The
judge did not instruct campaign staff members or the hosts of these events to avoid using
his judicial title. His stump speech, delivered on some of these occasions, also referred to
his judicial office and experience as a sitting judge. His speeches often included
comments about his opinion on criminal justice legislation.
Between August 2016 and August 2017, Judge Bailey met or communicated with
community, church, and Republican Party leaders to solicit support and endorsement for

25
his candidacy or potential candidacy. Individuals associated with the Republican Party
introduced the judge to supporters in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County. The
judge held face-to-face meetings with a lobbyist for the California Building Industry
Association and with the director of faith and public policy at a large evangelical church
in Chino Hills in August 2016. The judge often arranged these meetings using his
campaign email accounts that referenced his judicial title. During the meetings, he
referred to himself as a judge.
In seeking a meeting with the lobbyist for the Building Industry Association, the
judge sent an email with the signature line “Judge Steven Bailey,” which stated, “While it
might appear that the Office of the Attorney General has minimal impacts on the building
industry, the Attorney General is the chief law officer for the people of this state. As
such, the Attorney General is responsible for enforcing or not enforcing state air and
water quality standards, CEQA and climate change. Having someone who has common
sense is critical. The business community can no longer afford the selective enforcement
of the law … I will be bringing my experience as a Judge to this office. As a Judge, I am
committed to the fair application of the law using common sense.”
In November 2016, Judge Bailey sought advice from Former Judge Julie Conger,
a fellow director of the Alliance of California Judges (Alliance) and an expert on judicial
ethics, about ethical prohibitions and standards he would be required to follow during his
campaign. Judge Conger counseled Judge Bailey that he should not distribute flyers that
included a photograph of him in his judicial robe, and urged him to remove his judicial
title from emails related to his campaign and to avoid using the title in campaign
literature until after he took a leave of absence from the bench. In May 2017, Judge
Conger received a flyer from Judge Bailey’s campaign that made numerous references to
his judicial title and included a link for making monetary contributions. Judge Conger
sent the judge an email stating that he had completely dismissed her advice and was using
his judicial title inappropriately. She further suggested that he immediately take a leave
of absence from his judicial office and resign his directorship with the Alliance. The
judge resigned his directorship, but did not take a leave of absence from the bench and

26
continued to use his judicial title to solicit support and contributions to his campaign for
Attorney General.
Judge Bailey filed his Candidate Intention Statement with the Secretary of State on
April 27, 2017. (The failure of the judge to file this statement before accepting
contributions is the basis of the charges in count eight.)
Judge Bailey retired on August 31, 2017.
Judge Bailey filed his declaration of candidacy on February 25, 2018.
The masters found the evidence clearly established that Judge Bailey engaged in
an exploratory campaign and an actual campaign for California Attorney General while
he was a sitting superior court judge. Judge Bailey objects to the finding that he engaged
in an actual campaign. He contends that he only engaged in an exploratory campaign and
did not become an actual candidate until he filed his declaration of candidacy on
February 25, 2018.
Based on our own review of the record, we find that the masters’ finding is
supported by clear and convincing evidence. The record is replete with references by the
judge or his campaign staff to Judge Bailey’s “campaign” for Attorney General. For
instance, the block signature on some emails from his Southern California Campaign
Coordinator included “Candidate for California Attorney General.” In August 2016, the
judge sent an email to numerous individuals stating that he would be introducing his new
Southern California coordinator for “the campaign” and that she would be a great
addition to the “campaign.” In September 2016, the judge sent an email to “Andrea,”
stating that he would “like the opportunity to sit down and discuss [his] campaign for
California Attorney General with [her].” Invitations to the Patriot Awards dinner stated
“Congratulations to the 2016 Patriot Awards Honorees - Judge Steven Bailey California
Attorney General Candidate November 2018.” In an email to Douglas Boyd, the
treasurer of the Los Angeles County Lincoln Club, the judge stated in reference to his
appearance at an upcoming event, “As a candidate for Attorney General, I would plan on
discussing . . . .” As early as October 7, 2016, the judge and/or his Southern California

27
Campaign Coordinator sent out business cards with the inscription, “Judge Steven Bailey,
Candidate FOR CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL.”
3. Conclusions of Law
Canon Violations and Level of Misconduct
The masters concluded that by using his judicial title and lending the prestige of
his judicial office to raise campaign funds and to promote his exploratory campaign and
actual campaign for Attorney General, Judge Bailey violated canons 2B(2), 4A (a judge
shall conduct all of the judge’s extrajudicial activities so that they do not cast reasonable
doubt on a judge’s capacity to act impartially, demean the judicial office, interfere with
the proper performance of judicial duties, or lead to frequent disqualification), 5 (a judge
shall not engage in political activity that may create the appearance of political bias or
impropriety), and 5A(3) (a judge shall not personally solicit funds for a nonjudicial
candidate). We concur, and also conclude that the same conduct violated canons 2 and
2A.
A judge “considering running for nonjudicial office” may only engage in “private
planning during time away from the courthouse” until the judge takes a leave of absence
from the bench. (Rothman, supra, § 11:23, p. 747; see also Cal. Judges Assn., Judicial
Ethics Update (2005), p. 2 [a judge “considering running for non-judicial office may not
seek endorsements before taking [a] leave of absence.”]) Further, canon 2B(2) prevents a
sitting judge from using his or her judicial title to raise money in connection with a
campaign for nonjudicial office. (Public Admonishment of Former Judge Paul E.
Zellerbach (2011) [the judge took a leave of absence to campaign for nonjudicial office,
but, when he returned to the bench, he allowed his judicial title to be used to solicit
money to retire his campaign debt].) Judge Bailey went far beyond private planning. He
actively solicited campaign contributions and endorsements, and spoke frequently at
political and campaign events as a candidate or potential candidate for Attorney General.
Further, as the masters observed, Judge Bailey clearly used his judicial title and
the prestige of his judicial office to promote his campaign:

28
 [Judge] Bailey’s judicial title featured prominently in all of
his campaign communications, from his Facebook page,
email address and website names to his flyers, rack cards, and
donation envelopes. He used his judicial title when seeking
speaking engagements and introductions to potential
supporters. [Judge] Bailey’s campaign literature described
him as a ‘sitting judge’ and stated his ‘judicial experience’
made him ‘uniquely qualified’ for the office of Attorney
General. Even before he retired from the bench, [Judge]
Bailey solicited and received thousands of dollars in
campaign contributions.

We agree with the masters that Judge Bailey engaged in prejudicial conduct by
raising funds and campaigning for a partisan, nonjudicial office while working as a judge,
explicitly referring to his judicial title and relying on the prestige of his judicial office.
This conduct is fundamentally inconsistent with the independence, impartiality and
integrity of the judiciary, and is prejudicial to public esteem for the judicial office. (See,
e.g., Williams-Yulee v. Florida Bar (2015)__ U.S.___ [135 S.Ct. 1656] (Williams-Yulee);
Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 1103.)
The examiner requests that the commission find that Judge Bailey engaged in
prejudicial conduct as to each of the 25 subcounts in count nine. The masters did not
make specific factual findings or legal conclusions as to each subcount. We view the
events and activities alleged in subcounts A through Y as evidence that the judge engaged
in improper campaign and political activity on an ongoing basis for an extended period of
time before he retired. As such, we conclude that between August 2016 and August
2017, the judge engaged in a course of prejudicial conduct by, without taking an unpaid
leave of absence from judicial office, engaging in political and campaign activity that is
inconsistent with the independence and integrity of the judiciary, and by using his judicial
title and the prestige of his office to raise funds and promote his candidacy for Attorney
General. The masters’ factual findings, which we have adopted, support this conclusion.
First Amendment Challenge
Judge Bailey contends that enforcement of the prohibitions on political fundraising
and campaigning in the California Code of Judicial Ethics, as applied to his campaign for

29
Attorney General, violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The
masters found this argument unpersuasive, as do we.
We agree with and adopt the following analysis by the masters.
‘The right to speak on political matters is the quintessential
subject of our constitutional protections of the right of free
speech. “Public discussion about the qualifications of those
who hold or who wish to hold positions of public trust
presents the strongest possible case for applications of the
safeguards afforded by the First Amendment.” [Citation.]’
(Matson v. Dvorak (1995) 40 Cal.App.4th 539, 548; see also
Macias v. Hartwell (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 669, 673.)

But the Supreme Court has also long recognized that

‘the State has interests as an employer in regulating the
speech of its employees that differ significantly from those it
possesses in connection with regulation of the speech of the
citizenry in general. The problem in any case is to arrive at a
balance between the interests of the [employee], as a citizen,
in commenting upon matters of public concern and the
interest of the State, as an employer, in promoting the
efficiency of the public services it performs through its
employees.’ (Pickering v. Board of Education (1968) 391
U.S. 563, 568 (Pickering); see also Broadman, supra, 18
Cal.4th at pp. 1102-1103 [applying Pickering balancing test
to claim that former Canon 3A(6) violated judge’s First
Amendment rights].)

A government entity may not strike this balance to

prohibit an employee from speaking on issues of public
concern in a manner that does not interfere with the
employee’s performance of his or her duties. (Pickering,
supra, 391 U.S. at pp. 572-573.) It may, however, prohibit
employees from actively participating in political activities
such as becoming a candidate for elective office, fundraising,
campaigning for another partisan candidate or managing such
a campaign. (Civil Service Commission v. Letter Carriers
(1973) 413 U.S. 548, 556, 564.) A state may also forbid civil
servants from soliciting contributions to partisan campaigns,
taking part in political rallies or meetings, soliciting votes and
distributing partisan campaign literature. (Broadrick v.
Oklahoma (1973) 413 U.S. 601, 616-617.)

30
 Even greater restrictions may be imposed on elected
office holders and members of the judiciary. For example,
Clements v. Fashing (1982) 457 U.S. 957 (Clements), upheld
a Texas state constitutional provision that prohibited elected
officials, including judges, from running for the state
Legislature during the official’s term of office, even if the
official resigned before becoming a candidate. In rejecting an
equal protection challenge to the provision, the Supreme
Court characterized the candidacy ban as a ‘de minimis
burden on the political aspirations of a current officeholder.’
(Id. at p. 967, italics omitted.) The Court noted the provision
furthers Texas’ legitimate interest in safeguarding the
integrity of its elected judiciary because a judge campaigning
for legislative office might neglect his or her duties or ‘be
tempted to render decisions and take actions that might serve
more to further his [or her] political ambitions than the
responsibilities of his [or her] office.’ (Id. at p. 968.)

The Court rejected a First Amendment challenge to the

provision for similar reasons. It concluded the provision
imposed an ‘insignificant’ burden on judges’ First
Amendment interests in candidacy because it required only
that they wait until the end of their term in judicial office to
run for the legislature. (Clements, supra, 457 U.S. at p. 972.)

Williams-Yulee, supra,___U.S.___ [135 S.Ct. 1656]

upheld against a First Amendment challenge a canon of
judicial ethics that prohibited judges and judicial candidates
from personally soliciting campaign funds. The Court
acknowledged that a state, ‘may restrict the speech of a
judicial candidate only if the restriction is narrowly tailored to
serve a compelling interest.’ (Id. at p. 1665.) States with
elected judges have a ‘compelling interest in preserving
public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary . . . .’ (Id. at
p. 1666; see also Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at p. 1103
[finding ‘a compelling public interest in maintaining a
judicial system that both is in fact and is publicly perceived as
being fair, impartial, and efficient.’].) A canon of judicial
ethics that prohibits a judge or judicial candidate from
personally soliciting campaign donations is narrowly tailored
to serve that compelling interest. (Williams-Yulee, supra, at
p. 1666.) ‘The way the Canon advances those interests is
intuitive: Judges, charged with exercising strict neutrality and

31
independence, cannot supplicate campaign donors without
diminishing public confidence in judicial integrity.’ (Ibid.)

By contrast, Minnesota violated the First Amendment

when it adopted a canon of ethics stating that a ‘ “candidate
for a judicial office, including an incumbent judge,” shall not
“announce his or her views on disputed legal or political
issues.” ’ (Republican Party of Minnesota v. White (2002)
536 U.S. 765, 768.) Although the state has a compelling
interest in preserving the impartiality of its judiciary and the
appearance of judicial impartiality, the regulation was not
narrowly tailored to serve that interest. (Id. at pp. 775, 788.)
As Justice Kennedy explained in a concurring opinion,
Minnesota may not ‘censor what the people hear as they
undertake to decide for themselves which candidate is most
likely to be an exemplary judicial officer. Deciding the
relevance of candidate speech is the right of the voters, not
the State.’ (Id. at p. 794.)

The Canons of Ethics at issue here – Canons 2B(2),

4A, 5 and 5A(3) — are more like those at issue in Clements,
supra, and Williams-Yulee, supra, than Republican Party of
Minnesota v. White, supra. Unlike the regulation at issue in
Republican Party of Minnesota v. White, supra, our Canons
of Ethics do not prohibit a judge from expressing an opinion
on an issue of public concern. Instead, our Canons of Ethics
strive to preserve both the reality and the appearance of
judicial impartiality, integrity and independence, particularly
from partisan politics. To that end, they require a judge to
avoid extrajudicial activities that ‘cast reasonable doubt on
the judge’s capacity to act impartially[,]’ or ‘may create the
appearance of political bias or impropriety.’ (Canon 4A, 5.)
A judge may not use his or her judicial title or the prestige of
judicial office to ‘advance the pecuniary or personal interests
of the judge [,]’ including a personal interest in holding
nonjudicial office. (Canon 2B(2), 5.) A judge may not
personally solicit funds for a nonjudicial candidate. (Canon
5A(3).) Each of these restrictions falls away when a judge,
seeking election to nonjudicial office, takes a leave of
absence without pay from his or her judicial office. (Cal.
Const., art. VI, § 17; Canon 6H.)

32
 Like the candidacy ban at issue in Clements, supra,
article VI, section 17 of the Constitution and the Canons of
Ethics require a judge to take an unpaid leave of absence or
complete his or her term in judicial office before embarking
on a campaign for nonjudicial office. California’s compelling
interest in preserving the independence, impartiality and
integrity of its judiciary (Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp.
1102-1103), is ‘sufficient to warrant the de minimis
interference with [judges’] interests in candidacy.’
(Clements, supra, 457 U.S. at pp. 971-972, italics omitted.)

Second, the restriction on fundraising for nonjudicial

campaigns passes First Amendment muster for the reasons
stated in Williams-Yulee, supra. As the Court noted, ‘A State
may assure its people that judges will apply the law without
fear or favor - and without having personally asked anyone
for money.’ (Williams-Yulee, supra, 135 S.Ct. at p. 1662.)”

Judge Bailey contends that the masters incorrectly concluded that the canons are
narrowly tailored to serve a compelling state interest (the strict scrutiny test). The
examiner contends that this First Amendment issue here should be analyzed under the
Pickering balancing test, a more permissive test than the strict scrutiny test.
We conclude that the canons pass constitutional muster under either test. As the
Supreme Court pointed out in Williams-Yulee, since the judiciary’s authority “depends in
large measure on the public’s willingness to respect and follow its decisions,” public
perception of judicial integrity is ‘“a state interest of the highest order.’” (Williams-
Yulee, supra, 135 S.Ct. at p. 1666, citation omitted.)
When an active judge runs for nonjudicial office, particularly an office that
litigates in state courts, there can be an appearance that the judge will make judicial
decisions in a manner that will help his or her campaign, rather than based on the rule of
law. This concern is illustrated in Judge Bailey’s comments to the lobbyist for the
Building Industry Association. The judge informed the lobbyist that the Attorney
General has impact on the building industry through “enforcing or not enforcing state air
and water quality standards, CEQA and climate change.” A reasonable person could
interpret this comment as suggesting that the judge would apply these laws in a manner

33
favorable to the building industry while sitting as a judge running for Attorney General.
Moreover, the concern may be even more pronounced when the judge is running for a
position that includes criminal prosecution, such as the Attorney General, while presiding
over criminal cases. This could lead to a perception that the judge will make rulings that
appear to be “tough on crime” to promote the judge’s candidacy.
In Wolfson v. Concannon (9th Cir. 2016) (en banc) 811 F.3d 1176, the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an Arizona law prohibiting judges and judicial
candidates from, among other things, personally endorsing or making speeches on behalf
of other candidates for public office. The court concluded the law served a compelling
state interest in preserving public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary, noting that
“[w]hen a judicial candidate actively engages in political campaigns, a judge’s
impartiality can be put into question, and the public can lose faith in the judiciary’s
ability to abide by the law and not make decisions along political lines.” (Id. at p. 1185.)
Judge Bailey also argues that even if there is a compelling state interest, the
canons are not narrowly tailored to serve that interest. The Williams-Yulee Court stated
that the First Amendment required that the canon be “narrowly tailored, not that it be
‘perfectly tailored.’” (Williams-Yulee, supra, 135 S.Ct. at p. 1671, citation omitted.)
“The impossibility of perfect tailoring is especially apparent when the State’s compelling
interest is as intangible as public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary . . . . [M]ost
problems arise in greater and lesser gradations, and the First Amendment does not
confine a State to addressing evils in their most acute form.” (Ibid., citation omitted.) By
applying canons 2B(2), 4C(1), and 5 only to judges who have not taken a leave of
absence, the canons have been narrowly tailored to achieve the goals of preserving public
confidence in the fairness and integrity of the judiciary, and fostering the appearance that
judges do not make decisions for political reasons.
Judge Bailey contends that the canons are unconstitutionally vague. “A rule is not
void for vagueness if it provides fair notice to those to whom [it] is directed.”
(Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 1103-1104, quoting Gentile v. State Bar of Nevada
(1991) 501 U.S. 1030, 1048, original brackets, interior quotation marks omitted.) The

34
applicable canons provide fair notice to judges of their ethical obligations while
campaigning for nonjudicial office. Canon 6H makes clear when a judge can use his or
her judicial title and the prestige of judicial office in a campaign for nonjudicial office –
when the judge takes a leave of absence without pay pursuant to article VI, section 17 of
the California Constitution. In addition, canon 6H defines “political activity” to include
“soliciting and accepting campaign contributions for the other [nonjudicial] public
office.”
The judge further contends that the canons are underinclusive and applied
unequally because a judge running for judicial office in California can personally solicit
funds, whereas a judge running for nonjudicial office cannot, without taking a leave of
absence. With respect to a law being underinclusive, the United States Supreme Court
has stated: “Although a law’s underinclusivity raises a red flag, the First Amendment
imposes no freestanding ‘underinclusiveness limitation.’ [Citation.] A State need not
address all aspects of a problem in one fell swoop; policymakers may focus on their most
pressing concerns.” (Williams-Yulee, supra, 135 S.Ct at p. 1668.)
Moreover, there are compelling interests in treating judges differently when they
are involved in nonjudicial campaigns. Solicitation of campaign funds for nonjudicial
office may encroach on separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
When a judge solicits funds for a nonjudicial political campaign, there can be a
heightened perception that the judge’s decisions will be politically motivated.
Campaigns for nonjudicial office are inherently more political in nature than judicial
campaigns. Candidates for judicial office are running for an office in which they are
expected to follow the law, regardless of public opinion. Candidates for nonjudicial
office, however, are running for office with a political point of view and are expected to
express their political opinion. As the Williams-Yulee Court stated, “Judges are not
politicians, even when they come on the bench by way of the ballot.” (Williams-Yulee,
supra, 135 S.Ct. at p. 1662.)
There is another compelling, and practical, reason for treating judges running for
judicial office differently than judges running for nonjudicial office. Given that

35
California judges are subject to periodic contested elections, requiring judges to take a
leave of absence in order to campaign for and solicit funds for judicial office would be a
significant burden on the administration of the judiciary, and could be subject to abuse.
An attorney who is displeased with a judge’s rulings could force the judge to take a leave
of absence by running against the judge.
For these reasons, as did the masters, we reject Judge Bailey’s First Amendment
challenge to the Code of Judicial Ethics as applied to him.
J. Count Eight
1. Findings of Fact
Judge Bailey filed a Candidate Intention Statement (Form 501) for the Office of
Attorney General on April 27, 2017. Government Code section 85200, a provision of the
Political Reform Act, provides that, “[p]rior to the solicitation or receipt of any
contribution or loan, an individual who intends to be a candidate for an elective state
office . . . shall file with the Secretary of State an original statement, signed under penalty
of perjury, of intention to be a candidate for a specific office.” Judge Bailey’s campaign
committee organized in September 2016, and accepted monetary contributions of
$17,749 before April 27, 2017.
Judge Bailey acknowledges that the campaign committee for his Attorney General
campaign solicited and accepted contributions before he filed the Form 501 for that
campaign. He asserts that the untimely filing was inadvertent and caused by the then-
treasurer of his campaign. When the campaign hired a new treasurer, she discovered the
mistake and filed a Form 501 for the campaign. The masters found the judge’s untimely
filing was an oversight, and the result of Judge Bailey’s failure to properly supervise his
campaign staff and attend to the administrative requirements of his campaign. We adopt
this finding.
2. Conclusions of Law
Judge Bailey violated Government Code section 85200 by soliciting and accepting
campaign contributions before filing his Candidate Intention Statement. In so doing, he

36
violated canon 5, which requires judges to “comply with all applicable election, election
campaign, and election campaign fundraising laws and regulations,” and canon 2A.
The masters concluded that the judge’s misconduct constitutes improper action.
The examiner asks the commission to conclude that the judge engaged in prejudicial
conduct.
A purpose of Political Reform Act is to ensure that receipts and expenditures in
election campaigns are fully and truthfully disclosed in order that voters may be fully
informed and improper practices inhibited. (Gov. Code, § 81002(a).) The commission
has stated that even unintentional violations of campaign reporting laws can undermine
public respect for the judiciary. (Public Admonishment of Judge Tara M. Flanagan
(2017); Public Admonishment of Judge Charles R. Brehmer (2012).) In this case,
however, the judge filed a campaign statement reporting contributions he received before
he filed his Candidate Intention Statement. Thus, because the violation of the Political
Reform Act was inadvertent and did not deprive the public of important information, we
adopt the masters’ conclusion that the judge engaged in improper action.
K. Count Ten
1. Findings of Fact
In 2016, Martha Romero, Judge Bailey’s Southern California Campaign
Coordinator, created the “Judge Steven Bailey” Facebook page for the judge’s Attorney
General campaign. Romero informed the judge that she had created the page by the end
of 2016. In November and December 2016, she had made several posts on the page
referring to Judge Bailey by his judicial title and promoting his campaign. Judge Bailey
was informed of the Facebook page in a supplemental preliminary investigation letter
from the commission dated December 16, 2016. He did not instruct Romero to stop
using his judicial title in the posts.
Romero is a Los Angeles-area attorney who has known Judge Bailey since 2000.
In August 2016, Judge Bailey told Romero that he was thinking of running for Attorney
General and asked her to help with the exploratory campaign. The judge gave Romero

37
the title of Southern California Campaign Coordinator. On August 13, 2016, Judge
Bailey sent an email to numerous individuals introducing Romero by this title.
As the Southern California Campaign Coordinator, Romero made arrangements
for the judge to meet people in Southern California, attended events with him, and made
contacts with people on the judge’s behalf. In September 2016, Judge Bailey, by email,
tried to set up meetings with Southern California Republicans. He included Romero on
the emails and asked the recipients to work with her to schedule the meetings. Romero’s
responsibilities included arranging for Judge Bailey to attend the Patriots Award event in
Whittier and for his campaign to buy an advertisement in the event program; setting up
other meetings with Republican groups; corresponding with people who attended the
events and expressed interest in the campaign; and arranging for Judge Bailey to attend
the Mexican American Bar Association Judges’ Night and Awards Dinner in Los
Angeles.
2. Conclusions of Law
The masters concluded that Judge Bailey violated canon 2B(2) and engaged in
prejudicial misconduct by failing to supervise Romero and take any measures to guard
against the impermissible use of his title. The masters noted: “Even after he learned
about the Facebook page, [Judge] Bailey took no action to cure the improper use of his
judicial title. He did not ask Romero to delete the page, edit her posts or even to avoid
using his title in the future.” We concur and reach the same legal conclusions, and find
that the judge violated canons 2 and 2A, in addition to 2B(2).
Judge Bailey asserts that he cannot restrict the First Amendment rights of others to
free speech. The examiner acknowledges that if Romero had no connection to Judge
Bailey, he could not be held responsible for anything she posted on her personal
Facebook pages. As the masters point out, however, Romero was the judge’s Southern
California Campaign Coordinator, and very involved in the judge’s campaign. As such,
we concur with the masters that the judge had an obligation to take some action to
prevent the improper use of his title in connection with campaign communications and
events, even if it was just to instruct Romero to ensure that the Facebook page did not

38
refer to his judicial title and position. (Cal. Com. Jud. Ethics Opns., Opinion 2016-008,
p. 21 [“[j]udges have an affirmative obligation to guard against impermissible uses of
their judicial titles”].)
Judge Bailey further argues that he did not engage in prejudicial conduct because
the public would have no way of knowing if he asked Romero not to use his title. The
standard for prejudicial conduct, however, assumes that an objective observer is familiar
with the facts. (Inquiry Concerning Van Voorhis (2003) 48 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 257, 266,
citing Doan v. Commission on Judicial Performance (1995) 11 Cal.4th 294, 312.) In the
commission’s view, the judge’s failure to supervise a campaign staffer and take any
measures to guard against impermissible use of his judicial title would be considered
prejudicial to public esteem for the judiciary in the eyes of an objective observer.
L. Count Eleven
1. Findings of Fact
Romero also maintained a Facebook page for her law firm, the Romero Law Firm.
In a post on that page, dated October 29, 2016, Romero included photos of Judge Bailey
and wrote, “My friend Judge Steven Bailey is running for California Attorney General
2018 [sic] He is not a politician. Please Help us!” and “Judge Steven Bailey. Candidate
for Attorney General 2018. He will be the next Attorney General!!! Please repost. We
need to win this!!”
Judge Bailey became aware of this post in December 2016, when he received a
supplemental preliminary investigation letter from the commission. At that time, the
judge asked Romero to remove any photographs she had posted of him in his judicial
robes. He did not, however, ask her to make any other changes to her posts.
2. Conclusions of Law
For the reasons discussed with respect to count ten, the masters concluded that
Judge Bailey engaged in prejudicial conduct in failing to take any measures to guard
against the improper use by Romero of his judicial title. We reach the same conclusion
and conclude that the conduct violated canons 2, 2A, and 2B(2).

39
 As did the masters, we acknowledge that Judge Bailey could not force Romero to
edit her posts about him or to avoid using his judicial title in future posts. He could,
however, have asked her to modify her posts to be in compliance with his ethical
obligations.
Judge Bailey suggests that by disciplining him for Romero’s posts, the
commission infringes on Romero’s First Amendment rights. That is not the case.
Romero’s First Amendment rights are not implicated by requiring the judge to ask her to
comply with a request to remove the Facebook posts.
IV.
DISCIPLINE
In determining the appropriate level of discipline, we first and foremost consider
our mandate to protect the public, enforce rigorous standards of judicial conduct, and
maintain public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. (See
Broadman, supra, 18 Cal.4th at pp. 1111-1112.) We have determined that this purpose is
best served by imposition of a censure and bar based on the following considerations.11
The appropriate level of discipline depends to a large extent on the nature and
number of incidents of misconduct. (Furey v. Commission on Judicial Performance
(1987) 43 Cal.3d 1297, 1307, fn. 2.) We look to see whether the misconduct is an
isolated incident or reflects a pattern of misconduct indicating that the judge lacks the
integrity, impartiality, and temperament required of a judge. (See Fletcher, supra,19
Cal.4th at p. 918.) In this matter, Judge Bailey has engaged in numerous incidents of
misconduct spanning the entire course of his judicial career, including a course of
prejudicial conduct involving improper campaign activity over a period of a year. In

11
Article VI, section 18(d) of the California Constitution provides that the
commission may “censure a judge or former judge ... for action ... that constitutes willful
misconduct in office, ... or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice that brings
the judicial office into disrepute . . . .” The commission may also bar a former judge who
has been censured from receiving an assignment, appointment, or reference of work from
any California state court. (Cal. Const., art. VI, § 18(d).) The acts of prejudicial conduct
in this matter support our determination to censure and bar Judge Bailey.

40
addition, in 2013, he received a strong advisory letter for delays in ruling on at least 15
matters.
The extent and nature of the judge’s misconduct reflects an inability or
unwillingness to comply with the standards of judicial conduct expected of every judge.
Judge Bailey has violated the Code of Judicial Ethics both on the bench and off the
bench. His misconduct involves a broad spectrum of ethical violations, including making
judicial orders and an appointment without disclosing personal relationships reasonably
related to disqualification, improper receipt of gifts, failing to make complete and
accurate disclosures to the FPPC as required by law, making comments reflecting bias,
and using the prestige of his judicial office to campaign for and solicit funds for his
campaign for nonjudicial office, without taking a leave of absence from the bench. Judge
Bailey demonstrated a conscious disregard of his ethical obligations by continuing to
campaign for Attorney General without taking a leave of absence after being advised by a
judicial ethics expert that he was in violation of the canons, and by failing to ask Romero
to stop referring to him by his judicial title on Facebook posts after being alerted to the
posts by the commission.
Significantly, the masters observed, “Judge Bailey has his own view on 1. being a
judge, 2. acting with proper judicial demeanor, 3. Superior Court administration, and 4.
appropriate conduct on the bench. We believe that his views are misinformed and
erroneous.” The masters also note that he is lacking in judicial temperament. Our own
review of the record and observation of the judge at his appearance reveal a judge who
plays by his own rules with little concern for whether his conduct comports with the rules
applicable to all judges under the Code of Judicial Ethics.
Another important factor we consider is whether the judge has shown an
appreciation for the impropriety of his conduct. “A judge’s failure to appreciate or admit
to the impropriety of his or her acts indicates a lack of capacity to reform.” (Inquiry
Concerning Platt (2002) 48 Cal.4th CJP Supp. 227, 248; see Policy declaration
7.1(2)(a).) Judge Bailey contends that much of his conduct was proper and in accordance

41
with his ethical obligations. In our view, he interprets the canons in an unreasonably
liberal manner in order to justify his conduct.
Judge Bailey claims he has “suffered a continuous onslaught of allegations from
the Commission and Presiding Judge Suzanne Kingsbury.” He suggests that Judge
Kingsbury and the “toxic environment in the El Dorado Superior Court” are to blame for
the charges he faced. Judge Bailey fails to recognize it is his improper conduct that is the
basis of this inquiry, regardless of the motivations of those who brought forth the
allegations. There is no evidence that a toxic environment in the court or any animosity
between Judge Bailey and Judge Kingsbury resulted in misinformation being provided to
the commission or inaccuracies in the evidence presented against the judge.
Another aggravating factor is Judge Bailey’s failure to cooperate fully with the
commission’s investigation on one issue. (Policy declaration 7.1(2)(b).) During the
preliminary investigation, the judge denied that he created the “Judge Steven Bailey”
Facebook page. In a supplemental preliminary investigation letter and a follow up email,
the judge was asked for the identity of the person or persons who created or maintained
the “Judge Steven Bailey” Facebook page. The judge did not provide the requested
information in response to either inquiry, even though he knew Romero was the person
who created and controlled the Facebook page.
Whether the misconduct undermines the integrity of and respect for the judiciary
is another factor the commission considers in determining the appropriate discipline.
“The maintenance of the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary is severely impaired”
when a judge uses the title or prestige of judicial office to obtain a personal advantage.
(Rothman, supra, § 8.40, pp. 530-531.) Here, Judge Bailey used the prestige of his
judicial office extensively to promote his own candidacy for Attorney General. Further,
the judge repeatedly failed to abide by the Code of Judicial Ethics and requirements of
the Political Reform Act. Citizens are expected to comply with the rule of law. Public
respect for the judiciary cannot help but be eroded when a judge fails to abide by laws
and rules applicable to the judiciary.

42
 We believe there is a very high probability that Judge Bailey will engage in future
misconduct if he were to return to the bench. There is little likelihood of reform when a
judge has engaged in multiple ethical violations on and off the bench during the entire
course of his or her judicial career, fails to appreciate the impropriety of the misconduct,
and continues to engage in the same conduct despite being advised of the ethical
impropriety.
In order to fulfill our mandate to protect the public, enforce rigorous standards of
judicial conduct, and maintain public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary, we have
determined that Judge Bailey should be censured and barred from sitting in a judicial
capacity in the future.
ORDER
Good cause appearing, the commission hereby censures former Judge Steven C.

Bailey and bars him from seeking or holding judicial office, or accepting a position or an
assignment as judicial officer, subordinate judicial officer or judge pro tem with any court
in the State of California, or accepting reference of work from any California state court,
at any time in the future.

Commission members Nanci E. Nishimura, Esq.; Hon. Michael B. Harper;

Anthony P. Capozzi, Esq.; Hon. William S. Dato; Mr. Eduardo De La Riva; Ms.
Sarah Kruer Jager; Ms. Pattyl A. Kasparian; Dr. Michael A. Moodian; Mr.
Richard Simpson; and Hon. Erica R. Yew voted to issue this decision and order
imposing a public censure and bar. Mr. Adam N. Torres did not participate in
deliberations or vote in this matter.
Dated: February 27, 2019

Nanci E. Nishimura
Chairperson

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