Federal Judge Frank Montalvo Spreads Anti-Corruption Message Internationally

U.S. Federal Judge Frank Montalvo is best known in El Paso for presiding over the corruption cases of several public officials and in recent months he has helped spread the anti-corruption message internationally.

In Nov. 2010, Montalvo participated in the 14th annual International Anti-Corruption Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. He was a panel member in the workshop, “Prosecutorial Independence ? The Role of Interdependence Between Institutions and the Need for Self-Disciplining Mechanisms”

A highlights and interesting quotes portion of the report on the IACC Website quotes Montalvo as saying, ?Sunlight is the best antidote to corruption” and, ?Poor procedures are the best allies of corruption.”

According to a report on the conference’s Website, Judge Montalvo commented during the workshop that the complainant should be secure in their ability to complain, and complaints attacking the legal reasoning of a judge?s decision should not be entertained. Judge Montalvo also opined that hard and fast rules about situations requiring recusal by a judge contribute significantly to the avoidance of conflict and appearance of impropriety, according to the report.

In response to a question on methods of safeguarding judicial integrity, Judge Montalvo commented that inflexible procedures and poorly designed practices often work to undermine public trust in the judiciary.

In addition to presiding over the public corruption cases in El Paso, Montalvo also is presiding over the lawsuit against the City of El Paso to determine if an ordinance taking health benefits away from gay and unwed partners of city employees should be implemented.

Montalvo was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2003 to the federal bench.

From 1995-2003, he served as the 288th District Court Judge. His legal experience includes practicing law with Groce, Locke & Hebdon and Ball & Weed.

Montalvo has been presiding over El Paso’s public corruption cases since the investigation became public about four years ago.

Montalvo has a Bachelor of Science (Physics and Math), 1976, University of Puerto Rico. He also has a Master of Science in Bioengineering, 1977, University of Michigan and a J.D., 1985, Wayne State University Law School.