Supreme Court suspends judge for 6 months

The Minnesota Supreme Court has censured and suspended a Goodhue County judge for six months without pay for steering business to his divorce attorney, who gave him a deep discount.

Judge Timothy Blakely couldn't pay his lawyer's bill. Her firm ultimately wrote off over $64,000 after he appointed her as a mediator in 16 cases and referred several people who needed attorneys to her.

The Supreme Court said Thursday the investigation did not establish Blakely got his discount in exchange for the referrals. But it says his actions "reflected a serious lack of judgment" and "cast doubt on the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary."

The State Board on Judicial Standards had recommended that Blakely be removed from office. But the Supreme Court says suspension and censure are enough.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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