On Monday, February 9, 2026, Alaska Public Media reported that Nome-based Superior Court Judge Romano DiBenedetto faces a public reprimand following a formal investigation into multiple instances of judicial misconduct.

The Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct (ACJC) finalized its decision on January 30 to recommend the reprimand, opting for this measure instead of harsher disciplinary actions such as suspension or removal from office.

Jessica Dillon, an attorney with Anchorage-based law firm Dillon Findley & Simonian, led the investigation into the charges against DiBenedetto. She informed the commission that a public reprimand was deemed the appropriate sanction. Dillon cited the consideration of mitigating and aggravating factors previously recognized by the Alaska Supreme Court, noting that these factors did not warrant a deviation from the public reprimand.

According to ACJC filings, Judge DiBenedetto delayed an after-hours motion hearing in Unalakleet on January 8, 2024, because he was watching a televised sporting event. Arriving at the courthouse nearly an hour late, he attributed his tardiness to getting lost, omitting the actual reason for the delay. While the hearing proceeded that evening and the trial continued as scheduled the next day, DiBenedetto later admitted that his conduct violated the Alaska Code of Judicial Conduct by prioritizing a personal activity over court matters.

The incident was among several examples cited in the commission’s formal complaint, which detailed a pattern of DiBenedetto canceling, moving, or delaying hearings for personal reasons, often with minimal or no advance notice. Court staff and attorneys provided sworn statements describing frequent last-minute schedule changes, particularly on Thursday afternoons and Fridays, to accommodate the judge’s travel. Staff members reported difficulties reaching DiBenedetto during these absences, leading to disruptions and inconveniences for the court, attorneys, and litigants.

Another allegation involved DiBenedetto’s off-record behavior around court staff. Multiple employees reported instances where he impersonated courtroom participants, including Alaska Native individuals and a Vietnamese police officer, using exaggerated accents. Leslie Brand testified that she left the room during one such episode due to the uncomfortable atmosphere.

Robert Colvin, Area Court Administrator for the Second Judicial District, stated in an affidavit that DiBenedetto used “language that would indicate that the person was of lower intelligence” when mimicking Native Alaskans. Colvin noted the frequency of such behavior.

Kawerak, Inc. President Melanie Bahnke addressed the conduct in a July 2025 letter to the ACJC, emphasizing the importance of understanding social norms and customs in rural Alaska and recognizing the equal worthiness of all individuals before the court, regardless of their English proficiency or background.

While DiBenedetto acknowledged that the impersonations violated Canon 2A, he denied violating Canon 3B(5), which prohibits expressions of bias or prejudice. He and several staff members argued that the impersonations extended to people of all backgrounds and were part of his expressive storytelling style, not an indication of malice or bias. The commission ultimately agreed that the weight of evidence did not support a finding of actual prejudice under Canon 3B(5), but concluded the behavior still created the appearance of impropriety.

DiBenedetto, through counsel, accepted the findings at the January 30 hearing and agreed to the commission’s recommendation for a public reprimand. The commission described his conduct as negligent rather than malicious, noting mitigating factors such as his cooperation and lack of prior disciplinary history. However, they also emphasized his years of experience on the bench, having been appointed in 2017 and retained in 2020, as a reason he should have known better.

The Alaska Supreme Court will now review the commission’s recommendation and has the final authority to impose disciplinary sanctions. If accepted, the reprimand would formally censure DiBenedetto but allow him to remain in his position.

Rebecca Koford, a spokesperson for the Alaska Court System, stated that DiBenedetto will remain on administrative leave until the Supreme Court weighs in. In the meantime, Utqiagvik Superior Court Judge David Roghair will continue covering for the Nome court, and the court has called upon retired judges to handle hearings and trials as needed.

 

 

Source: Alaska Public Media