Share this @internewscast.com

Connecticut Superior Court Judge Alice Bruno

Connecticut’s highest court issued an order Tuesday that opened an official investigation of a judge who was absent from the bench for two years but still collected a salary of more than $400,000.

Alice Bruno was confirmed as a judge of the Connecticut’s Superior Court in February of 2016. But after serving for three and a half years, she stopped showing up at work, and last took the bench in November 2019, according to court documents.

Since that time, Judge Bruno continued to collect her full salary, but consistently refused to come in to work, the court documents say. Bruno cited a “debilitating medical condition” for her absence, but has refused to elaborate. In various documents submitted to the court in her defense, Bruno said that her bosses were hostile toward her and her request for accommodations, and that their hostility exacerbated her already serious medical condition.

Bruno’s medical records remain sealed per an order by the court, but a newly-appointed investigator will soon have access to those and other records.

After two years passed with Bruno absent from the bench, the Connecticut Supreme Court ordered Bruno to appear in person and answer why she should not be removed or suspended. The unprecedented proceedings aimed to ascertain whether Bruno’s conduct violated Connecticut’s code of judicial conduct.

Even in responding to the Supreme Court’s order, however, Bruno tried her best to stay away from the courthouse. On April 4, 2022, the day before a hearing was scheduled in the matter, Bruno’s attorney filed a motion to excuse Bruno’s personal appearance. Through counsel, Bruno argued that she “once again required emergency medical treatment arising from the circumstances surrounding her request for accommodation that has been ongoing for nearly two years.”

The court denied Bruno’s request to absent herself from the hearing, but allowed that Bruno’s attorney be permitted to assist his client in answering questions at the proceeding.

During the hearing, Justice Andrew J. McDonald made the following pointed inquiry of Bruno’s attorney, Jacques Parenteau: “You’ve indicated that over the last two-plus years, Judge Bruno has not performed any services on behalf of the people of Connecticut in exchange for the $400,000 she has received. Is that correct?” Parenteau responded that the pay received by his client amounted to an accommodation for her medical need.

When Bruno addressed the court, she said that the suggestion that her supervisors’ suggestion that she should seek a “disability retirement” was “a daunting and devastating experience.” Bruno continued, saying:

“And the unfortunate circumstance is that I ended up with all the indicia of someone who could not perform my function in the way that it should best be performed. I thank you for your courtesy and giving me the chance to talk and speak and there is nothing I want more than to serve the people of Connecticut fairly and appropriately.”

The state high court issued its ruling Tuesday.  Under that ruling, Bruno must now cooperate with the investigation or risk further disciplinary proceedings. Per the court’s three-page order:

Specifically, the purpose of the Investigation is to obtain information relevant to determine whether Judge Bruno’s conduct in connection with her performance of, or failure to perform, judicial functions since her appointment as a
Superior Court Judge in 2015 violates, inter alia, Rules 1.2 (Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary); 2.1 (Giving Precedence to the Duties of Judicial Office); and 2.5 (Competence, Diligence, and Cooperation) of the Code of Judicial Conduct. The Investigation shall be confidential.

The court appointed Connecticut Deputy Chief State’s Attorney and Inspector General Robert Devlin to conduct the investigation and directed Bruno to “fully and promptly cooperate” with Devlin’s investigatory demands. Further, if Devlin deems it necessary, Bruno must submit to one or more medical evaluations. Devlin will also have access to Bruno’s medical records, though he is expected to keep those records confidential.

Counsel for Judge Bruno did not immediately respond to Law&Crime’s request for comment.

[screengrab via Connecticut Network]

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Source: This post first appeared on

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Judge Dismisses Trump’s Copyright Lawsuit Against Bob Woodward

Left: FILE – Then-former President Donald Trump addresses a crowd at a…

Judge Criticizes Defense Lawyer for Objecting to Sentence

In the background scene: Footage from WKYC/YouTube captures images of Hannah Freeman’s…

Perth Couple, Aged 60 and 52, Sentenced to Prison for Involvement in Drug Smuggling Using Car Tires

A married couple will spend up to nine years in prison each…

Court Blocks Trump Administration from Enforcing Sanctions on International Criminal Court Activities

President Donald Trump participates in a session with the Fraternal Order of…

Probe Launched into Alleged Road Rage Encounter

A man has been injured in a suspected road rage incident in…

Man Arrested with 155 Pipe Bombs, Used Photo of President Biden for Target Practice

Background: Former President Joe Biden speaks during a Juneteenth event at the…

Probationer Arrested for Assaulting Disabled Individual

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Joseph Buccino, Jr., 41, was arrested…

Court Case Reveals Daughter Cooked Mother’s Remains on Family Farm

A Kentucky woman who allegedly killed, dismembered, and cooked her mother last…

Federal Judge Halts State’s Law on Abortion Transportation

Abortion-rights demonstrator holds a sign during a rally on Saturday, May 14,…

Florida Man Allegedly Plots to Hire Hitman Against Federal Prosecutor, FBI Agent, and Family Members

Last week, a Florida man was found guilty by a federal jury…

Probationary Homeless Man Arrested for Assault and Phone Theft in SIMED Parking Lot

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Richard Eugene Floto, Jr., 31, was taken…

UK Aristocrat and Convicted Rapist Sentenced for Infant’s Death

When they wanted, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon could be warm and caring parents.…