Leonel J. Lopez

Professional career

• Lopez held the role of a municipal court judge in Rio Grande City, Texas
• Former municipal judge in Rio Grande City, TX; no law degree; ethics complaint over alleged political endorsement

Education

Additional information

• In 2025, Lopez was also the defendant in a federal case in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
• The case was handled by Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard, with an initial appearance on April 28, 2025, and an arraignment on May 22, 2025.
• The case, USA v.
• The other count was dismissed by the government’s motion.
• The matter was pending at the time of the report, with the outcome dependent on the Texas Judicial Commission’s decision.
• he did not hold a law degree and had not attended college.
• Lopez (3:25-cr-01831), involved multiple counts, one of which led to a 13‐month prison sentence with 3 years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment.
• His tenure was marked by an ethics complaint alleging he engaged in conduct that could be seen as endorsing political candidates for Rio Grande City Commissioner, in violation of the Texas Judicial Code of Conduct.
• The complaint claimed he attended a campaign event with candidates, though he denied any endorsement.