Former county court judge Julio Gonzalez is returning to the central courthouse, courtesy of the SAO.

It’s not the biggest news in the world, except for rumors swirling around the circumstances of the move, and his new assignment.

Currently employed by BSO as the Director of the Department of Professional Standards, a position entailing oversight of the disciplinary process of deputies post-Internal Affairs investigations, Julio will be taking over the SAO’s Public Corruption Unit (PCU), replacing outgoing ASAIC Chris Killoran.

Killoran will remain a division chief, helming a new Organized Crime Unit. That’s great for Chris, but it hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from kicking into high gear, given the recent controversies engulfing the YNW Melly trial(s), and PCU’s Michelle Boutros’ damaging testimony regarding Detective Mark Moretti.

Is the Killoran move in any way, shape or form connected to the Melly debacle? And can the tea leaves be read in other ways, namely enticing Julio to leave a great job at BSO because of the possibility of Harold Pryor seeking higher office (or more lucrative opportunities) after a second term at the SAO? Could Gonzalez, who has sought a circuit judgeship on numerous occasions since leaving the county bench, be in line as a possible replacement for Pryor?

We floated both theories to Julio earlier today. Ever the gentleman, he declined comment, simply stating he was excited to be coming back to the courthouse.

WAIT AND SEE …