In the Matter of Scipione.

2024 CO 23. No. 22SA236. Judicial Discipline—Sanctions.

May 6, 2024

In this judicial disciplinary proceeding against now-former Arapahoe County District Court Judge John E. Scipione, the Supreme Court considered the March 2024 updated recommendations of the Colorado Commission on Judicial Discipline (the Commission) to (1) adopt the parties’ stipulation for public censure dated January 19, 2023, and (2) adopt the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the special masters’ recommendation for discipline dated August 14, 2023, which recommends that Scipione pay the Commission’s attorney fees for the disciplinary proceeding. The Court concluded that public censure and an award of attorney fees are appropriate sanctions in light of Scipione’s violations of eight Code of Judicial Conduct rules.

Accordingly, the Court publicly censured now-former Judge Scipione for his violations of Canon l, Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3; Canon 2, Rules 2.3, 2.8, 2.9, and 2.16; and Canon 4, Rule 4.1. Additionally, the Court ordered Scipione to pay the Commission $51,189.50 in attorney fees.