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Kato Confirmed as District Court Judge

By a MetNews Staff Writer

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenly Kiya Kato was confirmed by the Senate yesterday, by a vote of 51-46, as a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Nominated by President Joe Biden in December 2021, she will replace Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell who died in 2017.

Kato has served as a magistrate judge since 2014.

Chief Judge Philip Gutierrez said:

“Judge Kato has been an exceptional magistrate judge for many years, approaching each case with intelligence, integrity, and compassion. She will undoubtedly bring the same skills and qualities to the bench as a district judge, and we are lucky to continue to have her as a colleague.”