Judge Resigns After Accusations of Stealing Neighbor's Life Savings

Charged with 32 felony counts

An Alameda County Superior Court judge charged with 32 felony counts for allegedly stealing the life savings of his 93-year-old widowed neighbor resigned Thursday and agreed never to become a judge in the state again.

Judge Paul Seeman, who had continued to receive a paycheck since he was arrested in his chambers at Wiley Manuel courthouse and charged with felonies, decided to resign as part of a deal with a state agency that oversees judges' performance.

The Commission on Judicial Performance has the power to remove judges from office and had taken an unusual step of opening an investigation of Seeman before his criminal case had concluded.

(Hat tip to Walter Olson)