Three more women accuse justice of harassment

Three additional women are accusing Justice Jeffrey W. Johnson of sexual misconduct, including non-consensual touching and inappropriate comments at networking events.

The allegations, disclosed Friday in a request to amend filed by the Commission on Judicial Performance, are the result of interviews conducted earlier this month, suggesting the commission is still investigating even as Johnson's hearing date approaches on Aug. 5.

Johnson, of the 2nd District Court of Appeal, is charged with sexually harassing and groping 17 women, including two fellow justices, two California Highway Patrol officers as well as staff attorneys and clerks. He is also accused of appearing at the courthouse intoxicated after hours. Johnson has previously denied the most serious charges.

Johnson's attorney, Paul S. Meyer, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

The requested amended charges allege Johnson harassed three female attorneys at networking events and dinners between 2011 and 2015.

A former extern said she met Johnson for dinner in 2013 or 2014. After the meal, when they were parting ways, Johnson kissed her on the lips "without much warning," according to the motion.

"The kiss was not normal and made [the attorney] uncomfortable," the motion said.

Another attorney said she was introduced to Johnson at an Association of Business Trial Lawyers event in 2015. At one point when she was alone with Johnson, she mentioned she played viola. In response, Johnson told her "that she needed to put her viola mouth on his 'big black dick,'" according to the motion.

When she explained the viola was a string instrument, he then said she could use her "viola hand," according to the motion.

A third attorney said Johnson drank heavily at a weekday law firm event at a bowling alley on an unspecified date. At dinner afterward, Johnson requested to sit beside her. At one point during their conversation, Johnson put his hand on her knee and "slid his hand up her thigh," according to the motion.

When she grabbed his hand to stop him, the attorney "turned to Justice Johnson and said, 'Are you kidding me?' In response, Johnson just said, 'What?'" according to the motion.

Johnson will have a chance to respond to the motion and the appointed special masters will rule on the motion to determine whether the new allegations can be admitted.