A Mesa County, Colorado judge was censured April 24 by a discipline panel of the state judiciary on grounds that he sexually harassed a young lawyer at a June 2022 conference.
The ex-judge, Lance P. Timbreza, agreed that he had made unwelcome advances to the man and that his behavior, which included a kiss to which the other lawyer did not consent, violated four judicial conduct rules and a directive of the state’s chief justice.
Timbreza admitted that he was under the influence of alcohol on the night of his ethical lapses.
Seven judges also ruled that Timbreza would have to pay more than $20,000 in attorney fees to the state of Colorado. The judges are not members of the Colorado Supreme Court because all justices routinely recuse themselves in judicial discipline cases.
Timbreza, who resigned from the bench last September, had also been disciplined in 2019 after being charged with driving while intoxicated.
The case is Colorado v. Timbreza, No. 2023 CO 16.
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