Philip Ray Martinez (July 13, 1957 – February 26, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.
Philip Ray Martinez | |
|---|---|
| Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas | |
| In office February 12, 2002 – February 26, 2021 | |
| Appointed by | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 114 Stat. 2762 |
| Succeeded by | Ernesto Gonzalez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Philip Ray Martinez, Jr. July 13, 1957[1] El Paso, Texas |
| Died | February 26, 2021 (aged 63) |
| Spouse | Mayela Del Carmen (1985–2021)[2] |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Texas at El Paso (B.A.) Harvard Law School (J.D.) |
Education and career
editBorn in El Paso, Texas, Martinez received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1979 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1982. He was in private practice in El Paso from 1982 to 1990. He was a judge on the County Court at Law #1, El Paso County from 1991 to 1994, and on the 327th Judicial District Court, Texas from 1991 to 2002.
District court service
editOn October 9, 2001, Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas created by 114 Stat. 2762. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2002, and received his commission on February 12, 2002. His service terminated on February 26, 2021, due to his death of an apparent heart attack.[3]
District court service On October 9, 2001, Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas created by 114 Stat. 2762. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2002, and received his commission on February 12, 2002. His service terminated on February 26, 2021, due to his death of an apparent heart attack.[3]
Judicial Conduct or Disability Complaint
Judge Philip Martinez was known for his courtroom antics. He was reported to the Fifth Circuit for bribes to personal friends. He appointed individuals he admitted were personal friends to represent Plaintiff's against their wishes. Judge Philip Martinez would order payments to his personal friends by Plaintiffs for work that was never conducted. Judge Philip Martinez would overturn contracts between plaintiff's and attorneys (his personal friends) and instill his own (Judge Philip Martinez) criteria. At that point the Attorney would represent the Defense at the order of Judge Philip Martinez rather than their client (Plaintiff).
Judge Philip Martinez is known to have the Government Representatives sit during hearings and he would personally represent the Government in discrimination, ADA violations cases prosecuted by Government Employees.
Judge Philip Martinez was reported for bribing Attorneys in a case in which Government Officials were using Government Vehicles and paying overtime for sexual rendezvous at te Best Western across the El Paso Cielo Vista Mall. At this point the whistleblower was threatened in open court with Judge Martinez concurrence for reporting the offense. Judge Martinez ensured the Government Officials in the scandal were promoted, given cash awards and are now Government Contractors for the same agency.
Judge Philip Martinez had a practice of referring Plaintiffs that wrote the NAACP claiming concerns of his safety to his U.S. Marshall's Protective Detail. The fact the simply seeking Counsel, or amicus curiae briefs from African American Legal Organization was seen as a threat by this Judge tells volumes of his credibility and views towards various race, creed, gender, national origin and disability factors.
Judge Philip Martinez is known to belittle women, minorities and disabled individuals for prosecuting cases under the ADA, Title VII and other workplace protective laws. He is infamous for throwing tantrums against Pro Se Plaintiffs that can only be classified as a "two year old child tantrum"
The Fifth Circuit's response to the bribes was never a denial, but rather the 5th Circuit Claims Judge Philip Martinez has immunity as a sitting judge.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Judiciary, United States Congress Senate Committee on the (February 28, 2002). "Confirmation Hearings on Federal Appointments: Hearings Before the Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, One Hundred Seventh Congress, First Session". U.S. Government Printing Office – via Google Books.
- ^ "Judge Philip Ray Martinez Obituary (1957 - 2021) el Paso Times". Legacy.com.
- ^ Martinez, Aaron. "Judge Philip Martinez dies at 63, remembered for passion for justice, El Paso community". El Paso Times.
Fifth Circuit Judicial Conduct or Disability Complaint versus Judge Philip Martinez
Sources
edit- Philip Ray Martinez at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
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