A former California judge has been indicted on federal charges alleging he sexually assaulted two court employees and tried to cover up the incidents.
Adolfo Corona, 66, was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury in Fresno. The indictment underscores the seriousness of the allegations against a former member of the judiciary. If convicted, Corona could face up to 40 years in prison for the assault charge alone.
Prosecutors allege Corona led a 33-year-old court employee into a courthouse stairwell on March 14, 2024, where he sexually assaulted her. The five-count indictment also charges him with obstructing investigations and making false statements to FBI agents.
A second alleged victim, age 43, was found passed out alone in Corona’s chambers on December 5, 2023. Corona had been alone with her for approximately two hours before she was discovered.
The judge allegedly lied to investigators about his whereabouts during the second incident. Corona told the FBI he had left to pick up a motorcycle, prosecutors say.
In an apparent attempt to fabricate an alibi, Corona allegedly pressured a motorcycle dealership employee to alter company records. The falsified documents would have shown he picked up his motorcycle at the time of the alleged assault.
Federal officials, including U.S. Attorney Eric Grant and FBI Special Agent Siddhartha Patel, announced the charges. The case underscores federal authorities’ willingness to prosecute judicial misconduct.
Corona, a Democrat-appointed judge, served on the California Superior Court after being appointed in 2003 by then-Gov. Gray Davis. Each obstruction charge carries a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Federal prosecutors Karen Escobar and Michael J. Songer will handle the case. A federal judge will determine sentencing if Corona is convicted, following U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The indictment remains an allegation, and Corona is presumed innocent until proven guilty. His arraignment date has not been announced.
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