Know more. Kelton Gage and Stephen P. Rolfsrud, Mankato, for petitioner. Paul, Joseph S. Friedberg, Minneapolis, for respondent. Abby Rubenfeld, Christopher T. Amy M. Leonard Graff, San Francisco, Cal. This is a judicial discipline matter that comes before us on the November 2, , recommendation of the Board on Judicial Standards for removal of the Honorable Robert Crane Winton, Jr.
The reports included allegations that respondent had engaged in prostitution with young men. These allegations led to an investigation and subsequent indictment by a Hennepin County Grand Jury on May 7, , for felony and misdemeanor prostitution.
See Minn. The Board on Judicial Standards Board , which had independently initiated its own investigation, notified respondent that it would delay its proceedings pending disposition of the criminal charges.
On June 21, , the felony charges were dismissed as part of a plea negotiation pursuant to which respondent pled guilty to two counts of misdemeanor prostitution. The Board resumed its investigation and, upon a finding of sufficient cause, filed formal charges against respondent on September 20, Upon the Board's request, pursuant to Rule 9 a 2 , Rules of Board on Judicial Standards, we appointed a panel of referees panel on March 1, The panel held a formal hearing during the period May 10 to May 27, The court reporter delivered the full transcript of 1, pages to the panel on July 20, The panel returned its findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendation to the Board on September 30, The Board thereafter considered the record and the panel's report and on November 2, , with one exception, adopted the panel's findings, conclusions, and recommendation; in addition, the Board recommended assessment of costs and expenses against respondent.
This court's role at this stage of a disciplinary proceeding is solely to appoint a referee or panel of referees who will conduct a hearing and return a full transcript of its proceedings together with its findings to the Board, not to this court.
