FOR PUBLICATION JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT IN RE COMPLAINT No. 08-90172 OF JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT ORDER Filed June 24, 2009 ORDER KOZINSKI, Chief Judge: A misconduct complaint has been filed against a district judge. Complainant, a pro se state prisoner, filed a civil rights action in district court. The matter was assigned to the subject judge. Complainant alleges that the judge discriminated against him but does not explain how or on what basis. Discrimina- tion is not always improper or unethical; in some circum- stances, it is entirely appropriate. For instance, incarceration of individuals convicted of crimes, like complainant, is a wholly permissible form of discrimination. See McQueary v. Blodgett, 924 F.2d 829, 834-35 (9th Cir. 1991). Only unlaw- ful or invidious discrimination might amount to judicial mis- conduct, and complainant has not alleged discrimination of that kind. This charge must therefore be dismissed for failure to allege conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts. See Judicial- Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(A). To the extent complainant may be understood to allege that the judge colluded with prison officials to deny his right of access to the courts, cf. Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817, 771 772 IN RE COMPLAINT OF JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT 821-22 (1977), claimant’s vague insinuations do not provide the kind of objectively verifiable proof that we require. This claim must therefore also be dismissed. See 28 U.S.C. § 352(b)(1)(A)(iii); Judicial-Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(D). Complainant also alleges that the judge improperly closed his case. Because a misconduct complaint is not a proper vehicle for challenging the merits of a judge’s rulings, In re Charge of Judicial Misconduct, 685 F.2d 1226, 1227 (9th Cir. Jud. Council 1982), this charge must be dismissed. See 28 U.S.C. § 352(b)(1)(A)(ii); Judicial-Conduct Rule 11(c)(1)(B). Complainant’s allegations against the state judge and pros- ecutor in his criminal case must also be dismissed, as this mis- conduct complaint procedure only applies to federal judges. See Judicial-Conduct Rule 4. DISMISSED. PRINTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE—U.S. COURTS BY THOMSON REUTERS/WEST—SAN FRANCISCO The summary, which does not constitute a part of the opinion of the court, is copyrighted © 2009 Thomson Reuters/West.