Dayton asks Senate to reject tax court appointee

Gov. Mark Dayton is asking the state Senate to reject the confirmation of a Minnesota Tax Court judge who is facing suspension and censure.

The Senate Taxes Committee voted Sunday to reject the confirmation of Judge George Perez. Dayton wants the full Senate to follow suit.

The state's Board of Judicial Standards released a ruling on May 10 finding that Perez repeatedly violated its code of conduct. It found he delayed cases and falsified records to cover those delays. The board recommended Perez be suspended for nine months.

Former Gov. Arne Carlson appointed Perez to the tax court in 1997. Dayton reappointed him prior to the Judicial Board's ruling. A Senate vote to reject Perez would remove him from the court.

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