Former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio Pleads Guilty to Bribery

Former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio has admitted that he reduced a jury verdict arising from his court in exchange for campaign contributions.

On May 16, 2013, a jury returned a verdict in the plaintiff’s favor, awarding damages against the nursing home in the amount of $5.2 million. Approximately one month later, on June 17, 2013, the business filed a motion seeking to reduce the amount of damages awarded by the jury to the plaintiff.

On or about July 8, 2013, Maggio’s campaign fundraiser received approximately $24,000 in donations from the nursing home’s owner. Two days later—and after the campaign fundraiser and Maggio had communicated extensively regarding the litigation and the campaign—Maggio reduced the plantiff’s verdict to $1 million.
http://www.arkansasmatters.com/story/d/story/former-judge-mike-maggio-pleads-guilty-to-bribery/29616/Ym2F0QKFSEGrYuRxxU1OmQ

The story of former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio began almost a year ago with the Blue Hog Report of Maggio’s postings on an LSU message board.  http://www.bluehogreport.com/2014/03/03/who-have-you-wronged-mr-maggio-hog-nation-turns-its-angry-eyes-to-you-woo-woo-wooooo/
That led to further investigation into campaign contributions which uncovered the timeline of donations set forth above.

For years, we have known that Judges at all levels are the victims of pressures direct and indirect to accept bribes, or indirect pressures to issue decrees with the hope that they don't offend deep pocket entities.  We have seen such entities run puppet opponents against any judge or other offending official, throwing accusations in TV commercials and print media during a campaign.  These are the same people lobbying our Legislators hoping for tort reform.  We would hope that our Legislators would now run from those who demand tort reform legislation.

For further information see:

Maggio's plea:
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/public/maggio.information.pdf

U.S. attorney's information available here:
http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/public/maggio.plea.pdf

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