New Pierce County judge takes leave as he’s investigated

TACOMA — A Pierce County Superior Court judge pleaded innocent Friday to charges of harassment and patronizing a prostitute, then went on paid leave pending resolution of the case.

Judge Michael Hecht was released without bail by Judge James Cayce of King County, who was brought in to hear the case brought by the state attorney general’s office, The News Tribune reported.

In the felony harassment charge, Hecht, 58, is accused of threatening to kill a 24-year-old man in Tacoma on Aug. 30, shortly after Hecht was elected. The man says Hecht paid him for sex several years ago.

In the misdemeanor charge, the judge is accused of paying a 20-year-old man for sex on numerous occasions between last summer and January.

The harassment charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Hecht was elected on Aug. 19, ousting incumbent Judge Sergio Armijo, and has been hearing civil cases since he was sworn in for the $148,000-a-year job on Jan. 12.

After Hecht was arraigned Friday, Presiding Superior Court Judge Bryan Chushcoff announced in a statement that Hecht “recognizes that until the criminal charges against him have been resolved, the confidence of the public in Superior Court may be impaired.”

“To assure continued high public esteem of Pierce County Superior Court, Judge Hecht has agreed with the court to take leave of his duties as a Superior Court judge until such time as these matters may be resolved,” Chushcoff wrote.

Hecht is responsible for completing cases he began hearing before going on leave, the presiding judge added.

Prosecutor Gerald Horne said his staff wouldn’t try any criminal cases before Hecht because prosecutors didn’t want to jeopardize those matters while the case against the judge remained unresolved.

J. Reiko Callner, executive director of the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, said that state law precludes her from saying whether a judge is under investigation by the panel.