Boston Judge In Hot Water Again

A Massachusetts judge who was cleared of accusations from prosecutors that he favored criminal defendants could be in more trouble after it was revealed that his defense lawyers in the case provided at least $85,000 worth of free legal services.

Judge Raymond Dougan won a legal victory in November, successfully fending off a bias complaint from the Suffolk district attorney.

Dougan in mandatory reports to the Supreme Judicial Court and the State Ethics Commission disclosed that his defense was provided at no charge by a law firm whose lawyers frequently appear in his court.

Legal experts told The Boston Globe the free defense could violate the rules of judicial conduct that prohibit judges from receiving gifts from law firms.

Dougan's attorney said no rules were broken.