Questions over payments to judges

Outraged over a disbarment recommendation for a crusading lawyer who has sought to expose alleged improprieties in the Los Angeles County court system, the American Family Rights Association said Thursday that it plans to ask the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

The group plans a noon Saturday rally at Leimert Park at Vernon Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard, and another rally at 10 a.m. March 25 outside the county Hall of Administration building at 500 W. Temple St.

Organizers hope to gather signatures for a petition and letter to the Department of Justice requesting an investigation into whether county government's practice of paying judges nearly $40,000 in annual cash benefits - in addition to their state salary and benefit packages - makes it difficult to get a fair trial in cases involving county government.