Ethics Probe of Judge Referred to State Bar : Courts: San Diego inquiry continues even though Michael Greer resigned, citing poor health. Case stems from charges that he and other jurists received gifts from lawyers.

The case of San Diego Superior Court Judge Michael I. Greer, who cited ill health in retiring last week amid an ethics probe, has been referred to the State Bar for further investigation, an unusual turn in the long-running inquiry into charges that some San Diego judges received gifts from attorneys.

In a press release issued Tuesday, the state Commission on Judicial Performance announced that it was referring Greer’s case to the State Bar. The commission’s inquiry has focused on whether the gift-giving biased judges’ courtroom actions.

Greer’s resignation ended the commission’s investigation of him. He had denied all charges. If the State Bar finds wrongdoing, it can suspend Greer’s license to practice law.

For the first time since 13 San Diego judges were targeted last year, sources Tuesday disclosed the content of the seven charges against Greer. The central charge, sources said, is that Greer displayed favoritism when lawyers who had given him gifts appeared before him.

Also among the formal charges, sources said, is one that Greer failed to be “patient, dignified and courteous” to staff, sources said. The commission also accused Greer of once speaking in a “loud, rough voice” to a court employee.

Greer, 59, who as presiding judge of the San Diego court in 1988 and 1989 pushed through a system that speeded up civil cases, declined to comment Tuesday. He suffers from diabetes and heart problems and cited his health in announcing his retirement a week ago.

The San Diego system became a model for courts around California. It forced attorneys to meet deadlines for getting cases ready for trial, with no exceptions. Greer aggressively demanded that lawyers comply, which earned him both friends and foes.

Greer’s attorney, San Diego lawyer Patrick J. Coughlin, said the judge displayed no favoritism.

Coughlin added that Greer properly declared all gifts on state-required disclosure forms. The lawyer said Greer also adamantly denies charges that he was uncivil or loud.

Art Jones, presiding judge of the San Diego Superior Court, said he did not understand why the commission issued a press release about a judge who had retired the week before.

The commission operates in secret, and Jones called the press release a “cheap shot” and a “reflection of some sort of malicious intent.”

Victoria B. Henley, director and chief counsel of the commission, said Tuesday that she could neither confirm nor deny the substance of the charges against Greer. In her two years as head of the panel, she said, she could not recall the commission referring any other case involving a judge to the State Bar.

She added that the commission issued the press release because of ongoing press and public interest in the San Diego investigation. “The commission does not act out of spite or ill will,” Henley said.

At the time of Greer’s resignation, the commission was investigating possible added charges of misconduct, the press release said.

Greer bought two cars through a San Diego lawyer, paying him in full plus interest for the autos, sources said. The purchases remained under investigation by the commission.

Nearly all the San Diego judges questioned by the commission were exonerated or were subjected to minor disciplinary action from the panel.

With Greer’s retirement, the only San Diego judge still under investigation is Superior Court Judge G. Dennis Adams. He could not be reached Tuesday for comment, and Henley said she could not confirm or deny information about that case.