A recent ruling by New York’s judicial ethics board states that a Buffalo judge should face censure, but not removal, following an investigation into an altercation with neighbours. The incident under review saw the judge physically confront an officer and make known his connections to the local mayor and police, in the midst of other ethical oversights.
Details of events state that during the conflict with his neighbours, the judge didn’t shy away from using his position of power to influence the situation. His actions included an instance where he pushed an officer and unnecessarily flaunted his relationship with city officials including the mayor and the police department.
These actions prompted an official investigation by the state’s judicial ethics watchdog, leading to a decision that, while such conduct warrants reprimand, it does not require the dismissal of the judge. The watchdog has argued for an official censure of the judge, but has stopped short of recommending his removal from the bench.
The more detailed account of this situation and the subsequent decision by the ethics board can be found in the comprehensive coverage provided by Law360.