Embattled Md. Judge To Retire For Health

Prince George's Judge Richard A. Palumbo has denied wrongdoing and has attributed the allegations against him to misunderstandings.

Days later, it was reported that Maryland state troopers found Palumbo responsible for a two-vehicle accident in Charles County but that they did not issue him a citation.

Palumbo's vehicle collided with a sport-utility vehicle driven by Kimberly A. Corlette. Corlette said in an interview that Palumbo did not want her to call police and that he told her she'd be in trouble because "I'm a judge."

Six weeks later, in mid-December, the House of Ruth filed a petition with the Commission on Judicial Disabilities alleging that Palumbo had exhibited clear bias against non-English-speaking women seeking protective orders, even prohibiting one woman from using an interpreter except with his explicit permission.

The commission alleged that Palumbo violated judicial standards in the Cade case and in several other instances in which women appeared before him to seek protective orders.

The commission's complaint marked the first official allegation that Palumbo had engaged in a broad pattern of misconduct when considering protective orders in domestic violence cases.

The commission alleged that Palumbo had violated judicial standards calling for lawyers to be courteous to and patient with jurors, attorneys, witnesses and litigants.

The commission's complaint also alleged that Palumbo violated judicial standards in the two traffic cases involving state troopers. Regarding the Charles County incident, Palumbo attempted to influence a trooper investigating the crash "by telling him that he knew the trooper's boss," the commission alleged.

The 11-member commission has the authority to recommend discipline ranging from a warning or a reprimand to removal from the bench. The commission's recommendations are considered by the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, which ultimately decides what action, if any, to take against a judge.

Palumbo, who lives with his wife in Charles County but says his "legal domicile" is in Prince George's, served as a state delegate before his appointment to the bench. Femia said Palumbo will have plenty to do once he has left the judiciary.

Palumbo, who according to Femia owns a number of investment properties, is focused now on building a shopping center in the Glenn Dale area, Femia said.