“U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Robert Somma, 63, pleaded no contest in Manchester District Court to a misdemeanor first–offense driving while intoxicated charge.” according to Union Leader.

Somma was arrested on February 6, after his Mercedes-Benz rear-ended a pick-up truck at a traffic light in Manchester. “Somma struck a plea deal with prosecutors in which he pleaded ‘no contest’ to a misdemeanor DUI charge and agreed to pay roughly $600 in penalties. He also agreed to a 12-month suspension of his license. The arresting officer did not mention the judge’s unusual attire in the arrest report, but did write that Somma ‘had a difficult time locating his license in his purse.’” kutv.com

The officer may have no other comment on Somma’s attire, but other people sure did! “When authorities removed him from the vehicle, they said he wore a .... cocktail dress, fishnet stocking and high heels.” Pensito Review

Judge Somma was appointed to the Bench in December 2004 after working in private practice in Boston. “Gary Wenta, circuit executive for Boston’s First Federal Circuit, said Somma is highly respected and his resignation leaves him with out a pension.” ABA Journal

The Pensitore Review also states: “Somma showed his sense of style to the end. He phoned in his resignation from a vacation spot in the Caribbean.”

You can read the full articles at:

Pensito review
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2008/02/18/total-drag-bush-judge-appointee-resigns-after-dui-arrest-while-cross-dressing/

kutv.com
http://www.kutv.com/content/news/watercooler/story.aspx?content_id=b450f676-cfc9-4519-9485-8c1df59bd19a

BostonHerald.com
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1073879

ABA Journal
http://www.abajournal.com/news/bankruptcy_judge_resigns_following_unusual_dwi_publicity/print/

UnionLeader.com
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Mass.+judge+involved+in+NH+DWI+case+resigns&articleId=a4af7f87-c754-4e3f-8061-6edb0d5eb74f
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Federal+judge+guilty+in+Manchester+DWI&articleId=04b31228-fcae-421f-a4b5-586ce19a53df

Michelle