Mike Maggio
Newshound Max Brantley Nears the End of His Trail
Meanwhile, the Arkansas Times has announced two new hires, including veteran reporter Debra Hale-Shelton. read more >
by Kyle Massey -
Courts Tackle Cases Delayed by Pandemic
The Arkansas Supreme Court said jury trials could resume at the beginning of May, meaning a stack of criminal cases finally have their chance to see resolution. read more >
by Marty Cook -
Gilbert Baker Must Face Jury, Federal Judge Rules
Former State Sen. Gilbert Baker of Conway will "most definitely" be going to trial, his lawyer says, but he will be tried by a jury rather than by a federal judge alone. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Gilbert Baker’s Bribery Trial Moved to April 2020
A federal judge has delayed the trial of a former Arkansas lawmaker accused of conspiring to bribe a judge who has acknowledged lowering a jury's award in a negligence lawsuit in exchange for campaign contributions. read more >
by Associated Press -
Politics as Usual? (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
The reporting that uncovered Maggio’s corruption and the reporting that continues to reveal the tentacles of improper influence have been a great service to the state. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Ruling: Ex-Judge Mike Maggio Can’t Withdraw Guilty Plea
A judge has denied a request from a former Arkansas circuit judge to withdraw his guilty plea on a federal bribery charge. read more >
by Associated Press -
Judge Questions Whether Maggio Bribery Case Was Filed Properly
A federal judge says he will rule within the next few weeks on whether prosecutors properly applied the law when accusing former Circuit Judge Mike Maggio of bribery. read more >
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The One-Way Test (Gwen Moritz Editor’s Note)
At virtually every meeting, Rotarians recite “The Four-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say or Do,” but I keep my mouth shut. I’m fine with the first two — Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? — because those are my personal and professional goals at all times. But the parts about building goodwill and friendship and being beneficial to all concerned — well, the things I’m paid to think, say and do don’t always pass those tests. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Former Judge Mike Maggio Surrenders Law License
A former central Arkansas circuit court judge has voluntarily surrendered his license to avoid a disciplinary hearing. read more >
by Associated Press -
Nursing Home King Michael Morton Expanding His Empire
Even though Michael Morton has been hit by shrapnel from former Faulkner County Circuit Judge Michael Maggio’s bribery scandal, the Fort Smith nursing home magnate is pushing forward with plans to expand his empire. read more >
by Mark Friedman -
Former Judge Mike Maggio Pleads Guilty to Bribery
Michael A. Maggio, the former Faulkner County Circuit Judge, waived indictment Friday and pleaded guilty to a federal charge of accepting a bribe in exchange for reducing a nursing home negligence verdict. Maggio admitted that he was "improperly influenced" to reduce a $5.2 million verdict against a business after receiving campaign donations from the business' owner. read more >
by Gwen Moritz -
Mike Beebe Replaces Maggio Post, Names Others to Boards, Commission
Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday appointed Michael Murphy of Conway to replace Mike Maggio as Circuit Judge in the 2nd Division Court of the 20th Judicial District. read more >
Some Are More Equal Than Others (Editorial)
In at least three cases, politically well-connected Faulkner County couples were able to keep their divorce filings from public release. The divorce files of disgraced former Circuit Judge Mike Maggio, former state Sen. Gilbert Baker and Conway Deputy City Attorney Chuck Clawson were sealed in such a way that the very existence of the petitions were kept secret from public for reasons that no one seemed willing to explain. read more >
Arkansas Supreme Court Orders Immediate Removal of Judge Mike Maggio
Arkansas' highest court has ordered the immediate removal of Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio from office in addition to his lifetime ban from the bench. read more >
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The Maggio Effect (Editorial)
Reading the findings of fact included in the state Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission’s sanctions against suspended Faulkner County Circuit Judge Mike Maggio were more than we could take. read more >
Arkansas Judge Mike Maggio to be Suspended for Online Comments
An Arkansas judge has agreed to never seek judicial office again in the state after admitting that he made inappropriate comments online, including the revelation of confidential details involving actress Charlize Theron's adoption of her son. read more >
by Associated Press -
Gilbert Baker Resigns From UCA Post
Former state legislator Gilbert Baker resigned Wednesday, effective immediately, from his position at the University of Central Arkansas. The university released a one-line statement announcing Baker's resignation. read more >
by Lee Hogan -
Arkansas Supreme Court Reassigns Judge Mike Maggio’s Cases
The Arkansas Supreme Court has reassigned the caseload of a judge who is being investigated for online comments he posted anonymously and contributions he received linked to a nursing home that appeared before his court. read more >
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Commission Investigates Judge Mike Maggio’s Web Postings
An Arkansas judge has admitted that he posted a series of anonymous online comments that critics say are racist, sexist and otherwise inappropriate, including one in which he revealed alleged details of confidential proceedings involving actress Charlize Theron's adoption of her son. read more >
by Associated Press -