"Israel Claustro, a 50-year-old former county prosecutor, agreed to resign from his position as a judge after signing a plea deal admitting to one count of mail fraud. Claustro, during a brief Monday hearing before Magistrate Judge Douglas F. McCormick at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana, made his first appearance as a criminal defendant before being ordered released on his own recognizance."
"Hours later, Claustro appeared before U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb in another courtroom at the same courthouse to formally plead guilty. The now-former state court judge repeatedly answered, Yes, sir and yes when asked by Holcomb if he understood the rights he was giving up by accepting a plea deal and the potential punishment he is facing. Do you still want to plead guilty? Holcomb asked. Yes, Claustro answered."
Israel Claustro, a 50-year-old former county prosecutor and elected Orange County Superior Court judge, pleaded guilty on Jan. 12 to one count of mail fraud connected to a multimillion-dollar scheme to defraud a state workers' compensation program. Claustro agreed to resign his judgeship as part of a plea deal and made an initial court appearance before Magistrate Judge Douglas F. McCormick, after which he was released on his own recognizance. Claustro later pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb, acknowledged waiving rights, and faces a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 26. Federal prosecutors recommend home confinement and probation; the charge carries a maximum 20-year prison term, with final sentencing to be decided by Judge Holcomb. Claustro expressed regret through counsel about involvement in the business venture that led to the charges.
Read at www.ocregister.com
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