KANSAS CITY, Mo. — U.S. District Court Judge Carlos Murguia will resign from the bench effective April 1, 2020.
In a resignation letter addressed to President Trump, Murguia wrote, “I have been honored to serve in this position since 1999, and my tenure on the Court has been the highlight of my professional life. In recent months, it has become clear that I can no longer effectively serve the Court in this capacity.”
Murguia, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, was publicly reprimanded Sept. 30, 2019, by the Judicial Council of the Tenth Circuit.
The Council found that Murguia “gave preferential treatment and unwanted attention” to female court employees, who often felt hesitant to confront or report the behavior because of his standing as a federal judge.
Murguia tendered his resignation “with a heavy heart and profound apologies, out of respect for the federal judiciary, my colleagues, my community and — most importantly — my family,” according to his resignation letter.
He was appointed to the bench by former President Bill Clinton and was the first Latino to serve on the federal judiciary in Kansas.
Murguia said he will assist with the transition between now and April 1. His cases immediately are being reassigned to other district court judges, according to Chief Judge Julie A. Robinson.
Murguia resignation means he’s no longer eligible for a pension or retirement benefits.
