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SJC restores pay for suspended Newton judge during investigation

BOSTON — The Supreme Judicial Court has ordered that a suspended Newton judge's pay be reinstated as she is investigated over allegations she helped a person evade Federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents.

Judge Shelley Joseph, 51, had been suspended without pay but filed a motion for the courts to reinstate her pay. That motion was allowed by the SJC in an order delivered Tuesday.

Judge Joseph and former Trial Court Officer Wesley MacGregor, 56, of Watertown, were indicted on one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and two counts of obstruction of justice - aiding and abetting. MacGregor was also charged with one count of perjury.

Joseph remains suspended from her duties as an Associate Justice of the District Court as her petition to be reassigned to administrative duty was denied.

She will receive back pay through April when she was suspended without pay. The ruling was 5-1 with one justice recusing himself from the decisions.

Governor Baker's Office sent Boston 25 News the following statement Tuesday:

"Governor Baker believes Judge Joseph should not hear cases until the federal case is resolved and believes that no one should obstruct federal law enforcement officials trying to do their jobs.  The Baker-Polito Administration has filed and continues to support legislation to allow court officials as well as law-enforcement to work with federal immigration officials to detain dangerous individuals."

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