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Gov. Council Member: Patrick Using 'Quotas' To Fill SJC

BOSTON (CBS) - A member of the Governor's Council doesn't like what Governor Deval Patrick is doing with the Supreme Judicial Court.

Councilor Charles Cipollini of Fall River told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Wednesday that the governor is catering to certain groups through his diverse appointments.

"I believe he's probably using a quota system. He's probably picking from the various groups," Cipollini said.  "He hasn't picked one from 'family values.' Maybe he's not a 'family values' person. I guess he's not."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jon Maclean talks to Cipollini

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Cipollini points out that since November, the governor has nominated a black chief justice and an Asian associate justice and now he's picked Barbara Lenk, a gay woman, to fill the latest vacancy.

Cipollini claims Patrick has "stacked" the high court for the next several years "with progressives or liberals."

"The Supreme Judicial Court is going to be stacked. These people don't retire until they're 70," Cipollini said.

The governor's office has not responded yet to Cipollini's comments.

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