Some charges against judge dropped

The Judicial Discipline Commission has dropped multiple charges against Family Court Judge Nicholas Del Vecchio, including accusations that he sexually abused his ex-wife's 14-year-old daughter.

The Judicial Discipline Commission on Monday released a document showing it dropped 27 charges against the judge. The Judicial Discipline Commission today is scheduled to discuss a proposed settlement in the case.

Commission Executive Director David Sarnowski declined to comment Monday on why the charges were dropped.

In February, the special prosecutor for the discipline commission filed a 38-count complaint against Del Vecchio accusing him of sexual harassment, making lewd and racist comments and abusing his power.

The February complaint also accused Del Vecchio of having his ex-wife's 14-year-old daughter perform oral sex.

Del Vecchio denied that he ever had a sexual relationship with the girl. But he admitted in a formal response that he fell in love with her and wanted to marry her when she worked as his judicial assistant when she was in her 20s.

The amended complaint continues to allege that Del Vecchio coerced the woman, identified as Rebeccah Murray, into a sexual relationship when she worked for him. It also accused the judge of taking nude photos of her.

The remaining counts against Del Vecchio accuse him of making inappropriate sexual and racial comments about court staff.

Del Vecchio is still on the bench. He ran for re-election but did not earn enough votes in the primary to advance to the November election.

Contact reporter David Kihara at dkihara@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.