FRESNO, California — A former superior court judge faces federal charges for the alleged sexual assault of a judicial assistant and subsequent attempts to mislead investigators. Retired Judge Adolfo Corona, 66, was indicted on August 21, with charges including deprivation of bodily integrity under color of law, making false statements to law enforcement, and attempted document alteration.
The incidents are reported to have taken place at the Fresno County Courthouse. According to the indictment, Corona assaulted a judicial assistant in a stairwell in March 2024, and he allegedly fabricated details about the event during both administrative and FBI investigations, including a false claim that the assistant had taken his phone and added her contact number.
The charges suggest that Corona’s actions included non-consensual penetration with his fingers and that he left the courthouse immediately after the assault. This initial incident was followed by a second alleged event in December 2023, involving another judicial assistant who was discovered in precarious circumstances in his chambers. The court documents indicate that Corona had been alone with this woman for about two hours prior to her being found with her pants unbuttoned.
Authorities allege Corona attempted to cover up his whereabouts during this critical time, asserting he had left to pick up his motorcycle from a dealership. Reports claim that he even contacted the dealership to fabricate pickup records to align with the timeline of the incident.
Previously, a grand jury in Fresno County indicted Corona on charges related to the alleged sexual assault, to which he pleaded not guilty. His attorney, Margarita Martinez-Baly, reaffirmed that the former judge intends to contest the federal charges.
Corona retired in April 2024 after over two decades on the bench. The allegations have raised serious concerns regarding accountability and the behavior of those in positions of power within the legal system.
As this case progresses, it invites further scrutiny into the treatment of sexual assault allegations in judicial settings and the integrity of judicial conduct. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine not only Corona’s fate but also the broader implications for the judicial system as it grapples with accountability.
This information is based on various reports concerning the case, reflecting the complexities involved in bringing such allegations to light.
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