A review of judges' financial disclosures from federal trial and appeals courts in Denver has unveiled a range of income sources and notable reporting errors among judges. The disclosures, mandated by federal law, reveal diverse income streams, including publication royalties, speaking engagements, and pensions.
Judges Regina M. Rodriguez and Charlotte N. Sweeney reported incomes exceeding $800,000 upon their appointments, while others maintained compensation from previous public sector roles. The financial disclosures also highlighted the frequent travel of appellate judges for legal seminars and conferences, with some judges receiving reimbursements for events organized by various legal associations.
Notably, 10th Circuit Senior Judge David M. Ebel admitted to multiple failures in timely reporting stock transactions, citing inadvertent errors. He has since divested from individual stocks to prevent future issues.
Additional revelations included unusual sources of compensation, such as reimbursements for officiating weddings and gifts received from former law firms. The disclosures raise questions about transparency and accountability within the federal judiciary.