COU NTY OF COOK OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY 69 WEST WASHINGTON, SUITE 3200 KIMBERLY M. FOXX CHICAGO, ILLINOIs 60602 ATTORNEY 603-l880 September 18, 2018 Honorable Judge Martin Leighton Criminal Court Building 2600 S. California Ave., Rm. 101 Chicago, Illinois 60608 Judge Martin, Pursuant to our conversation this morning, I am forwarding the memo regarding the alleged conduct of Judge Mauricio Araujo on September 11, 2018. As I noted earlier, as a result of conduct described in the memo, my office has filed a Motion for Substitution ofJudge in the matter before Judge Araujo. While I believe that assigning a new judge in this matter is appropriate, I do have concerns regarding the alleged conduct, as well as the protocol for addressing such conduct involving members of the judiciary. As workplaces across the country contend with issues of sexual harassment and misconduct, it is critical to have clear protocols for reporting, investigating, and accountability for such allegations. The Cook County State?s Attorney has mandatory reporting requirements for allegations of harassment, and all employees are required to participate in harassment training. While these measures dictate the conduct within our office, we must also work with other stakeholders regarding conduct between offices. I look forward to hearing from you as to the manner in which you wish to deal with such allegations arising from my office. Sincerely, Cook County State? 5 .tOrney OFFICE OF THE STATES ATTORNEY COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS KIMBERLY M. FOXX SPECIAL PROSECUTIONS BUREAU ATTORNEY 2650 SOUTH CALIFORNIA AVENUE CHICAGO. ILLINOIS 60608 MEMORANDUM To: SA Kimberly Foxx FASA Joe Magats From: Steven A. Block, Bureau Chief Date: September 13, 2018 Re: Judge Mauricio Araujo On September 12, 2018, I learned of an issue involving alleged inappropriate conduct by Judge Mauricio Araujo toward I thereafter separately interviewed ASA - and three witnesses, According to ASA -, she was law school classmates with Araujo approximately 25 years ago. During law school Araujo made unwanted sexual advances toward-on several occasions that she rebuffed. To this day,-recalls in detail one of the incidents because of the particularly crude nature of Araujo?s conduct. -has had no social interaction with Araujo since law school and does not believe she has spoken to him since that time. She has seen him around the courthouse since they have both been assigned to 26th Street but they have not spoken. -is handling a murder case that was reassigned to Araujo two weeks ago when Judge Lacy retired. She appeared in front of him on September 1 1, 2018 to address the status of a pending motion to suppress. APE the -assigned to Arajuo?s courtroom. On September 1 1, 2018, she saw step up on the murder case and have a brief and professional interaction with the judge. -then asked the - to step out of the courtroom to discuss an issue relating to the pending motion. While nd-were out of the courtroom-ward Araujo speaking to his clerk in Spanish. According to - who speaks Spanish, Araujo seemed upset and became increasingly agitated as he spoke. did not hear the ?rst part of Araujo? 5 comments, but as he became louder she heard him say wor to the effect of, ?She walked in and didn?t give me any congrats or acknowledge me. She acted like she didn?t know who I was.? He then walked off the bench and into chambers. was uncomfortable with what she had heard and later informed - - the -in the courtroom. According to- when Araj uo returned to the courtroom he asked- ?What did you and-have to say,? referring to their earlier conversation in the hallway. -responded with something nondescript regarding- case. ASA was also in Araujo?s courtroom on September 1 1, 2018 to ask the judge to approve a consensua overhear (COH).Wresented around four previous COH requests to Araujo and never noticed anything unusua . aited in the courtroom and he had Chicago Police Of?cer?wait in the jury room. At some point, Araujo indicated that-and the of?cer should come to chambers where they brie?y discussed the COH. No one else was present but the judge,-and? As Araujo signed the order, he appeared upset. He said words to the effect of, ?You think you went to fucking law school with someone you would think she would say hi to you.? Araujo called a ?bitch.? He then repeated the substance of these remarks. -did not know at the time who Araujo was referring to though he subsequently learned about the judge?s earlier comments in the courtroom involving-. now knowing how to react, jokingly told the judge, ?Maybe she didn?t recognize you in your ro Araujo then said, ?Our law school class had only about 50 people and she can?t say hi to me.? Araujo then said, ?Well, maybe it?s because I didn?t have sex with her or maybe it? because I did have sex with her.? -responded with words to the effect of, ?Well, it?s one or the othawas uncomfortable with this interaction and Araujo?s behavior and therefore informed of what had occurred shortly thereafter. On September 13, 2018, with the approval of FASA Magats, ASA - ?led a motion for substitution of judge. -has no other cases pending before Araujo.