The story of Burton Katz isn't your typical "judge retires and fades into the sunset" kind of tale. It’s a lot messier than that. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, you might remember him as the no-nonsense Los Angeles Superior Court judge or the face on MSNBC. But if you look him up today, you’re just as likely to find his name attached to federal lawsuits and consumer protection scandals.
Honestly, the shift is jarring.
One minute, he's presiding over the trial of John Sweeney for the death of Dominique Dunne. The next, he's being chased by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for what they called a "web of deception."
Let's get into the weeds of what actually happened to Judge Burton Katz.
The Courtroom Legend and the Dominique Dunne Trial
Burton Katz wasn't just any judge. He was a powerhouse in the Los Angeles judicial circuit throughout the 1980s. He handled the heavy hitters—complex litigation and high-profile criminal cases that would make most people's heads spin.
Most people remember him for the 1983 trial of John Sweeney. Sweeney was the chef who strangled actress Dominique Dunne, known for her role in Poltergeist. The trial was a circus. Katz made several rulings that still get debated in law schools today. He barred testimony from Sweeney’s ex-girlfriend about his past violence. He also prevented Dunne's mother and friends from testifying about her fear of Sweeney.
The result? Sweeney was convicted of voluntary manslaughter instead of murder. He served less than four years.
Dominique’s father, the famous writer Dominick Dunne, was devastated. He spent years writing about the perceived injustice of Katz's courtroom. It's a heavy legacy to carry. Katz eventually left the bench in 1987, but he didn't stop working. He moved into the private sector, becoming a mediator and an arbitrator. For a while, things seemed stable. He even became a media darling, appearing as a legal analyst for MSNBC and hosting his own shows like Judge and Jury.
The FTC Scandal: A Sharp Turn into Trouble
Fast forward to the late 2010s. This is where the story gets weird.
While most retired judges are playing golf or teaching a stray seminar, Burton Katz got involved in the world of lead generation and online marketing. Specifically, he was linked to a company called On Point Global.
The FTC didn't mince words. They alleged that Katz and his associates ran hundreds of "sham" websites. These sites looked like official government portals where you could renew your driver's license or sign up for Section 8 housing.
People would hand over their personal data and a small fee, thinking they were dealing with the DMV or a government agency. Instead, they got basically nothing—usually just a PDF of "educational information."
The scale was massive. We're talking about more than $100 million taken from millions of consumers.
In early 2020, things came to a head. A federal court in Florida issued a preliminary injunction against Katz and his business partners. The FTC claimed Katz was a "control person" in this operation.
Running to Mexico?
This is where it sounds like a movie script.
During the legal proceedings in January 2020, Katz was ordered to appear at a preliminary injunction hearing. He didn't show up. According to court documents filed by the FTC, Katz allegedly defied the court's order and traveled to Mexico instead. This happened despite his assets being frozen.
By February 2020, the FTC was moving for a contempt order. They argued that he was still making misrepresentations in violation of previous injunctions from earlier cases (like the Acquinity case).
Where is Judge Burton Katz Now?
As of 2026, the legal dust has mostly settled into a state of "not eligible."
If you look at the State Bar of California, Burton S. Katz (Bar #35048) is listed as Not Eligible to Practice Law. His status was updated to "Admin Inactive" in July 2024 due to noncompliance with certain state requirements.
It's a long fall from the man who once wrote Justice Overruled, a book where he criticized the very system he ended up tangled in.
There is some confusion online regarding his health. An obituary for a "Burton Katz" from April 2020 often pops up in searches, but that appears to be a different individual from the Los Angeles judge, as court filings involving the former judge continued into 2021 and 2022.
Today, Katz remains a polarizing figure. To some, he was a fair-minded "consensus builder" who helped settle hundreds of private disputes as a mediator. To others, he's the face of a predatory marketing scheme that targeted the vulnerable.
Lessons from the Katz Saga
So, what can we take away from this?
- Professional licenses aren't forever. Even a judge can lose their standing with the Bar if they don't keep up with administrative requirements or get embroiled in legal trouble.
- The "Official" look can be a trap. The On Point Global case is a reminder to always check the URL. If a site ends in
.cominstead of.govbut claims to be a government agency, run. - Legacies are fragile. You can spend 20 years building a reputation as a legal expert and lose it in a few years of "business ventures."
If you’re looking into legal help or mediation services today, always verify a retired judge's current standing with their state bar association. A "retired" title doesn't always mean they are currently authorized to provide legal advice or act as a neutral party in a professional capacity.
Check the California State Bar website directly for the most current status on any attorney or former judge before engaging with their services. If you suspect you've been a victim of a government impersonation scam similar to the one Katz was linked to, report it immediately to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.