Robert Somma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Somma is a former federal judge for the District of Massachusetts United States Bankruptcy Court. He resides in Newbury, Massachusetts.

Somma was appointed to a renewable 14-year term in 2004 by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.^[1] He holds a Juris Doctor degree and is a member of the American Bar Association, Massachusetts Bar Association, and the Boston Bar Association.

Somma was arrested near Manchester, New Hampshire on February 6, 2007 after he rear-ended a pickup truck. Officers determined that Somma was driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol. Police reported that Somma fell back against the frame of his Mercedes-Benz as they removed him from the driver's seat. The incident gained national attention when it was revealed that Somma was dressed in drag, consisting of a "black women's cocktail dress, fishnet stockings and high heels". Additionally Somma, who is married to a woman, had "had a difficult time locating his license in his purse". He later admitted that he had been drinking hard liquor at a gay bar before the accident.^[2]

Somma pleaded guilty in open court to bargained charges. According to the Associated Press, he agreed to a 12 month suspension of his judicial license in addition to other punishments. Somma then resigned from the court, effective April 1,2008. ^[3]

Somma wrote a letter on April 2, 2008 to the Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly stating that he was reconsidering his resignation. This change of heart happened after a letter writing campaign by fellow attorneys.^[4] WRKO talk show host Howie Carr responded by launching his own letter writing campaign, aimed at what he termed Soma's "stupendous lack of judgment in the one job where judgment matters most". Carr's goal was to halt any reinstatement of Soma, which would require judicial approval.^[5]