Philip Ray Martinez

Philip Ray Martinez
Judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
In office February 12, 2002 – February 26, 2021
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Seat established by 114 Stat. 2762
Succeeded by	Ernesto Gonzalez
Personal details
Born	Philip Ray Martinez, Jr. (1957-07-13)July 13, 1957 El Paso, Texas
Died	February 26, 2021(2021-02-26) (aged 63)
Spouse	Mayela Del Carmen (1985–2021)
Children	2
Education	University of Texas at El Paso (B.A.) Harvard Law School (J.D.)

Philip Ray Martinez (July 13, 1957 – February 26, 2021) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Education and career

Born in El Paso, Texas, Martinez received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1979 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1982. He was in private practice in El Paso from 1982 to 1990. He was a judge on the County Court at Law #1, El Paso County from 1991 to 1994, and on the 327th Judicial District Court, Texas from 1991 to 2002.

District court service

On October 9, 2001, Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas created by 114 Stat. 2762. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2002, and received his commission on February 12, 2002. His service terminated on February 26, 2021, due to his death of an apparent heart attack.

District court service On October 9, 2001, Martinez was nominated by President George W. Bush to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas created by 114 Stat. 2762. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 5, 2002, and received his commission on February 12, 2002. His service terminated on February 26, 2021, due to his death of an apparent heart attack.[3]

Judicial Conduct or Disability Complaint

Judge Philip Martinez was known for his courtroom antics. He was reported to the Fifth Circuit for bribes to personal friends. He appointed individuals he admitted were personal friends to represent Plaintiff's against their wishes. Judge Philip Martinez would order payments to his personal friends by Plaintiffs for work that was never conducted. Judge Philip Martinez would overturn contracts between plaintiff's and attorneys (his personal friends) and instill his own (Judge Philip Martinez) criteria. At that point the Attorney would represent the Defense at the order of Judge Philip Martinez rather than their client (Plaintiff).

Judge Philip Martinez is known to have the Government Representatives sit during hearings and he would personally represent the Government in discrimination, ADA violations cases prosecuted by Government Employees.

Judge Philip Martinez was reported for bribing Attorneys in a case in which Government Officials were using Government Vehicles and paying overtime for sexual rendezvous at te Best Western across the El Paso Cielo Vista Mall. At this point the whistleblower was threatened in open court with Judge Martinez concurrence for reporting the offense. Judge Martinez ensured the Government Officials in the scandal were promoted, given cash awards and are now Government Contractors for the same agency.

Judge Philip Martinez had a practice of referring Plaintiffs that wrote the NAACP claiming concerns of his safety to his U.S. Marshall's Protective Detail. The fact the simply seeking Counsel, or amicus curiae briefs from African American Legal Organization was seen as a threat by this Judge tells volumes of his credibility and views towards various race, creed, gender, national origin and disability factors.

Judge Philip Martinez is known to belittle women, minorities and disabled individuals for prosecuting cases under the ADA, Title VII and other workplace protective laws. He is infamous for throwing tantrums against Pro Se Plaintiffs that can only be classified as a "two year old child tantrum"

The Fifth Circuit's response to the bribes was never a denial, but rather the 5th Circuit Claims Judge Philip Martinez has immunity as a sitting judge.

See also

• List of Hispanic and Latino American jurists

References

Fifth Circuit Judicial Conduct or Disability Complaint versus Judge Philip Martinez

Sources

• Philip Ray Martinez at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.