PLACERVILLE, Calif. — A significant procedural change has occurred in one of El Dorado County’s highest-profile criminal prosecutions after El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Jamie L. Pesce recused herself from the felony case involving former Oak Ridge High School band teacher Paul Varoff.
Court records indicate the matter will now be reassigned to another judge within the El Dorado County Superior Court, a step that may affect the scheduling of future hearings but does not alter the criminal charges or the status of the prosecution.
Neither the court nor published reports by the Mountain Democrat and Village Life identified the specific reason for Judge Pesce’s recusal.
Under California law, judges may disqualify themselves from a case when a conflict of interest exists or when circumstances could create a reasonable appearance that the judge’s impartiality might be questioned. Judicial recusals are a routine part of the legal system and do not imply wrongdoing by the judge or either party.
Paul Varoff, a former music educator who spent approximately 27 years with the El Dorado Union High School District, primarily teaching at Oak Ridge High School in El Dorado Hills, was arrested in January 2026.
Prosecutors have charged Varoff with 10 felony counts related to alleged sexual offenses involving a minor identified in court documents as “J. Doe.” According to the criminal complaint, the alleged offenses occurred during 2023 at several locations, including Varoff’s residence, the alleged victim’s residence and an office at Oak Ridge High School.
Varoff has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Before Judge Pesce’s recusal, the case appeared to be moving toward a possible negotiated resolution.
During a May 2026 administrative hearing, defense attorney David Brooks told the court the matter was “ripe for resolution” and indicated that a change of plea could be forthcoming, according to previously published local reporting. No plea agreement has been announced in open court, and no change of plea had occurred before the judicial reassignment.
The reassignment means a newly assigned judge will assume responsibility for all remaining proceedings, including any pretrial motions, hearings, plea discussions or, if necessary, a jury trial.
The recusal itself should not be interpreted as reflecting the merits of the prosecution or defense. California’s judicial ethics rules encourage judges to step aside whenever impartiality could reasonably be questioned, helping preserve public confidence in the fairness of court proceedings.
For many El Dorado County residents, the case has drawn particular attention because of Varoff’s long tenure within the El Dorado Union High School District and his years of involvement with student music programs at Oak Ridge High School.
As the case moves forward under a different judge, the criminal proceedings will continue through the normal judicial process. Under both the U.S. Constitution and California law, Varoff is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
“A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in any proceeding in which disqualification is required by law.” — California Code of Civil Procedure Section 170.1
The El Dorado County Superior Court is expected to assign the case to another judge in the coming weeks, after which future hearing dates will be scheduled.
Sources: El Dorado County Superior Court records; Mountain Democrat reporting; Village Life reporting; California Code of Civil Procedure Section 170.1 (Judicial Disqualification).
