Wisconsin Supreme Court acts following FBI arrest of Judge Hannah Dugan on obstruction charges
A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge has been temporarily relieved of her judicial authority following allegations that she concealed an undocumented immigrant from federal immigration authorities.
Judge Hannah Dugan, whom the FBI recently arrested on obstruction charges, has been suspended from her duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
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Judicial powers temporarily revoked
“In the exercise of (the) constitutional authority and in order to uphold the public’s confidence in the courts of this state during the pendency of the criminal proceeding against Judge Dugan, we conclude, in our own motion, that it is in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties,” the Badger State’s highest court ordered, according to the New York Post.
The Wisconsin Court System has confirmed to BreezyScroll that Dugan will not return to the bench this week, with other judges covering her caseload. The suspension will remain in effect until “a further order of the court” is issued.
Allegations of concealing defendant from ICE
Dugan, 65, faces serious charges stemming from an incident on April 18, when she allegedly hid Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz inside her courthouse following a pre-trial hearing. According to federal authorities, Dugan concealed Flores-Ruiz in her jury room in an attempt to prevent his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Flores-Ruiz was appearing in court on three misdemeanor battery charges connected to a fight that occurred in March. The judge now faces federal charges of obstructing a federal agency and concealing an individual to prevent an arrest.
Defense and criticism
Dugan’s attorney, Craig Mastantuono, defended his client in court, stating, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”
However, her actions have drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Attorney General Pam Bondi recently condemned Dugan’s alleged conduct during an appearance on Fox’s ‘America Reports.’
“We could not believe that a judge really did that,” Bondi said. “You cannot obstruct a criminal case. And really, shame on her. It was a domestic violence case of all cases, and she’s protecting a criminal defendant over victims of crime.”
Bondi further elaborated on the severity of the underlying case involving Flores-Ruiz, saying he “beat the guy, hit the guy 30 times, knocked him to the ground, choked him, and beat up a woman so badly; they both had to go to the hospital.”
The case continues to develop as the Wisconsin judicial system addresses this unusual situation involving one of its own members allegedly interfering with federal immigration enforcement.
