The Washington State Supreme Court has banned ex-Pierce County Superior Court Judge Michael Hecht from ever again holding judicial office in Washington.
The state’s Commission on Judicial Conduct in May voted to censure Hecht and recommend to the Supreme Court that he be disqualified from seeking to become a judge.
A unanimous Supreme Court accepted that recommendation Thursday, according to a statement issued Monday.
Hecht did not contest his disqualification, though he told the commission during a May hearing that its members were making a mistake.
“You’ve been duped,” he said at that time.
Elected to the bench in summer 2008, Hecht resigned late last year after being convicted of felony harassment and patronizing a prostitute.
A Pierce County jury found him guilty of threatening to kill a man who claimed he sold sex to Hecht and of buying sex from another young man.
He since has completed most of the requirements of his sentence, including performing 240 hours of community service and successfully completing the county’s “john school.”
Hecht, who has staunchly maintained his innocence, has appealed his conviction, but the appeal is on hold while he tries to get public funding to execute it. He’s taken that effort to the state Supreme Court.
He contends he was the victim of a political vendetta launched by the supporters of his opponent in the 2008 election and carried forward by The News Tribune and Tacoma police.
The state’s high court also revoked Hecht’s law license earlier this year.
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644
adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/crime
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