Judge David Mason of Alturas, CA; ethical troll

The state of California provided David Allen Mason (DAM) with a law license in 1981 after he graduated from Western State University School of Law.

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger was duped into appointing Davey as a Modoc County Superior Court Judge in 2009. Davey didn’t receive the appointment because he was the most qualified attorney in the greater Modoc County area. He received it because he had proven to be a reliable lackey for the local political hacks.

The California Commission on Judicial Performance found Vanessa guilty of engaging in the following misconduct.

• Failed to disclose on the record his close personal relationship with attorney Tom Gifford who appeared before him as counsel of record
• The personal and sustained relationship with the attorney included ongoing social interactions after Davey ascended to the bench
• Failed to act with due diligence (slacker)
• The attorney appeared before Davey in more than 80 different cases
• Failed to advise counsel in cases wherein the attorney he had a relationship with was involved that an appearance of a conflict of interest existed
• Went on 2-week trip to Italy with Gifford and their spouses to celebrate Gifford’s wedding anniversary
• Never voluntarily recused himself from cases wherein his personal attorney friend Gifford was employed as defense counsel in criminal matters

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Judicial Misfits sitting on the California Commission on Judicial Performance punished Davey by gifting him with a complimentary admonishment.

As we speak (ca. August 2020), Davey continues to sit as a Modoc County Superior Court judge in Alturas, California.