By Richard Luthmann with Michael Volpe and Julie M. Anderson Holburn
(ORANGE COUNTY, CA) – In a sensational push unprecedented in California, six Orange County Superior Court judges are facing a coordinated recall campaign amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power. Judge Mary Kreer “Vera Papapapa” – dubbed the “nepo judge” for inheriting her retired father’s seat – tops the list. Joining her are Judge Carol Henson, Judge Steven Hicklin, Judge Julie Palafox, Judge Kimberly Maynard Carasso, and Presiding Judge Maria D. Hernandez.
The recall effort’s initial salvo – formal Notices of Intent to Recall – has already garnered roughly 240–260 signatures per judge, far above the legal minimum. Organizers submitted those signatures to the county Registrar, along with scathing statements of each judge’s alleged misdeeds, to clear the next hurdle for an official recall petition…