As legal professionals, we are no strangers to cases of judicial misconduct. Indeed, history is replete with instances of judges behaving badly, from ethical violations such as brandishing firearms or displaying sexual misconduct to disruptive behaviors like texting during a trial or even handcuffing young defendants.
But the latest claim making the rounds on social media, accusing New York Judge Arthur Engoron of drinking gin on the bench while presiding over the civil trial against former president Donald Trump and his organization, raises eyebrows for its sheer absurdity. Engoron has been subject to numerous attacks and social media tirades, especially as the case turns increasingly against Trump. However, the accusation of him drinking gin while on duty, specifically Tanqueray gin, is nothing short of a fabrication.
Video clips circulated online alleged that Engoron was consuming from a green bottle recognizable as Tanqueray gin. But as confirmed by AP News, citing an official statement from New York State court spokesperson Lucian Chalfen, it is far from the truth. The green bottle that found its way into this conspiracy theory, in fact, contained Mountain Valley water, not gin.
A closer look at the bottles of Mountain Valley water and Tanqueray gin, though both green, reveals clear differences, calling into question not only the credibility of the accusation but also the discernibility of the accusers. While it can be easy to fall into the trap of unfounded rumors and conspiracy theories, it’s essential that we, as legal professionals, maintain a focus on reality and only base our judgments on factual evidence.
For more details about this scenario, it is advisable to read the entire report on Above The Law.