Judge being probed

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — City Magistrate George Galanis is facing allegations of failure to follow proper judicial procedures from the New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission.

The commission filed a petition before the New Mexico State Supreme Court earlier this week asking that the court place Galanis on suspension without pay. That petition was placed under seal as required by state law.

Officials for the state supreme court said Thursday that the allegations will remain under seal under the supreme court conducts a hearing, which is expected to occur within the next two months.

Until then, Galanis is under no restrictions and will be allowed to continue to serve as a magistrate judge for the city, a position he has held for the past seven years.

Officials with the commission declined to talk Thursday about the charges or why the commission began its investigation of Galanis.

Because of rulings by the supreme court several months ago in a different case, allegations against a sitting judge are now sealed until a hearing takes place.

Commission officials did say that the commission's recommendation is just that a recommendation and therefore has no effect until the supreme court makes a decision on Galanis' ability to hear cases.

Galanis continued to hear cases Thursday afternoon after he was served the petition by state police that morning.

He said that he did not think this was the proper time for him to comment on the commission's petition or any allegations.

"We'll have to see what happens. I'm sure that everything is going to turn out all right," he said.

Despite the fact that the records were sealed, several sources were reporting Thursday that the charges stem, at least in part, from allegations that Galanis has been spending too much time on his outside businesses and not enough time in the courtroom.

There have been allegations that he has come in late, left work early and on several occasions, failed to show up on days he was scheduled to be in court.

There were also allegations that he improperly conducted court business while at the Ranch Kitchen, a restaurant that he is a part owner. He also owns a Indian arts and craft store, the Galanis Trading Post.