BOSTON — A Massachusetts judge charged with helping an immigrant escape a federal agent waiting to arrest him has rejected a plea deal offered by federal prosecutors.
The Boston Herald reports that federal prosecutors offered the deal to Judge Shelley Joseph and a retired court officer, who have both pleaded not guilty to charges, including obstruction of justice. Federal prosecutors have said they helped a man from the Dominican Republic slip out a back door of Newton District Court while a federal immigration officer was waiting for him.
According to a court memo, both defendants were extended plea offers. The memo reads: “Defendant Joseph rejected the offer extended to her.” The retired court officer has not responded to the offer.
Terms were not disclosed.
Joseph’s lawyer has called the case “absolutely political.”