Alleged Affair Between New Bedford Judge and Prosecutor Under Investigation

Hearing on April 9 could have major implications for past cases involving the pair.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:06am

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An investigation is underway into an alleged sexual relationship between a former New Bedford District Court judge and an assistant Bristol County District Attorney. The case stems from an appeal of a 2023 conviction, where the presiding judge and the prosecutor involved are now under scrutiny. The investigation could potentially impact thousands of other cases the two were involved in together.

Why it matters

If the allegations of an improper relationship are proven true, it could call into question the integrity and fairness of any cases the judge and prosecutor worked on together, potentially leading to new trials or overturned convictions. This case highlights the importance of maintaining the independence and impartiality of the judicial system.

The details

The investigation was launched after an anonymous note was sent to the defense attorney in a 2023 case, alleging a sexual relationship between the judge, Douglas J. Darnbrough, and the unnamed assistant district attorney. Similar anonymous notes were also sent to legal organizations. The judge and prosecutor were involved in approximately 3,700 cases together. A hearing on April 9 before a Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court justice will examine the findings of a special master's investigation into the nature and extent of the relationship.

  • In September 2023, the defense attorney received an anonymous note alleging the sexual relationship.
  • In February 2024, the motion for a new trial was denied by a Cambridge District Court judge.
  • In April 2024, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court granted direct appellate review of the case.
  • In May 2024, the SJC appointed a special master to investigate the relationship between the judge and prosecutor.
  • The special master's report has been completed and will be discussed at the April 9, 2026 hearing.

The players

Gerson Pascual-Santana

The defendant convicted in 2023 of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, whose case is at the center of the investigation into the alleged judge-prosecutor relationship.

Douglas J. Darnbrough

The former New Bedford District Court judge who presided over Pascual-Santana's 2023 trial and is alleged to have had an improper relationship with the prosecutor.

The Assistant Bristol County District Attorney

The prosecutor who handled the Pascual-Santana case and is alleged to have had an improper relationship with the judge.

James P. McKenna

The attorney representing Pascual-Santana, who filed the motion for a new trial based on the alleged judge-prosecutor relationship.

Ernest Sarason

The former judge appointed as a special master to investigate the nature and extent of the relationship between Darnbrough and the prosecutor.

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What they’re saying

“Despite his argument to the contrary, the factual foundation for the defendant's claims rest almost exclusively on the anonymous, unsigned, and unsworn notes attached in his filings.”

— David E. Frank, Cambridge District Court First Justice

“Given the information now before the Court, including the Commonwealth's denial of a relationship between the judge and a trial prosecutor, I find the inferences the defendant asks me to make are speculative, insufficient, and not reasonably supported by the evidence.”

— David E. Frank, Cambridge District Court First Justice

“The ADA was the victim of harassment by the note-writer, who had a 'personal animus against' her.”

— Bristol County District Attorney's Office

What’s next

The April 9 hearing before Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Associate Justice Serge Georges Jr. will examine the findings of the special master's investigation into the alleged relationship between the former judge and prosecutor.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the judicial system. If the allegations are proven true, it could call into question the fairness of thousands of cases involving the judge and prosecutor, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the criminal justice system in the region.