On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the California Commission on Judicial Performance issued an order imposing a public censure and bar on former Orange County Superior Court Judge Israel Claustro following a stipulated agreement resolving an investigation into his conduct.
According to the commission, Claustro, through his attorney Paul S. Meyer, entered into a stipulation with Director-Chief Counsel Gregory Dresser. The agreement was approved by the commission, resulting in a formal decision and order imposing the sanction. A public censure and bar represents the most severe disciplinary action the commission can impose on a judge who has already resigned from judicial office.
The commission found that Claustro engaged in misconduct prior to taking the bench, specifically committing felony fraud, which constitutes a crime involving moral turpitude. The findings state that he participated in a scheme to defraud the California Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund.
Claustro later pleaded guilty to a felony count of mail fraud in connection with the scheme. Following his guilty plea, he resigned from his judicial position.
The commission determined that the felony conviction provided sufficient grounds for imposing the public censure and permanently barring Claustro from holding judicial office in the future.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
