"A former Orange County Superior Court judge who resigned from the bench and pleaded guilty this month to participating in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme is now working with a law firm in Menifee. Israel Claustro reactivated his state law license two days before he pleaded guilty Jan. 12 in federal court to one count of felony mail fraud for his role in defrauding a state workers' compensation program."
"Claustro's license with the State Bar of California was deactivated while he was serving on the bench from January 2023 to January 2026. Before his election, Claustro was an experienced prosecutor in the Orange County District Attorney's Office. The bar website indicated Claustro, 50, is specializing in family law after serving as a family law judge and is aligned with the Najera Law Group in Riverside County."
"Claustro is not prohibited by his federal plea agreement from practicing law. Officials from the bar said they could not initiate a disciplinary investigation against Claustro because the criminal case was not concluded. The former judge is scheduled to be sentenced June 26. However, the bar can seek an interim suspension, but declined to comment on Claustro's case. Federal prosecutors are recommending Claustro serve time in home confinement, rather than prison, along with probation."
Israel Claustro pleaded guilty Jan. 12 to one count of felony mail fraud for his role in defrauding a state workers' compensation program and faces sentencing June 26. Claustro reactivated his California law license two days before his guilty plea and is currently aligned with a Riverside County law group and working with a firm in Menifee. The State Bar deactivated his license while he served on the bench from January 2023 to January 2026 and says it cannot open a disciplinary investigation until the criminal case concludes. Federal prosecutors recommend home confinement and probation; the charge carries up to 20 years.
Read at www.ocregister.com
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