Introduction
Welcome to the official web site of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
This web site contains information on the Commission's authority and jurisdiction, its history and procedures, its recent decisions and other material related to the field of judicial ethics and professional discipline.
New and Noteworthy
The Commission has determined that Michael A. Gary, a Judge of the New York City Criminal Court and an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, 2nd Judicial District (Kings County), should be admonished. The Commission's decision dated October 3, 2016, is available at Gary Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
The New York State Court of Appeals has accepted the Commission's Determination that Alan M. Simon, a Justice of the Spring Valley Village Court and the Ramapo Town Court (Rockland County), should be removed from office.
The Court's decision was issued on October 20, 2016, and is available at Court of Appeals Decision. The Commission's Determination is available at Simon Decision.
Oral argument was held before the Court on September 7, 2016. The Court's webcast of the argument is available at COA Webcast Archive - No. 135.
The Commission has determined that Bruce R. Moskos, a Justice of the New Lisbon Town Court (Otsego County), should be admonished. The Commission's decision dated October 3, 2016, is available at Moskos Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
New Commission Member Appointed
Queens County Supreme Court Justice Leslie G. Leach has been appointed to the Commission by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. Biographical information on Justice Leach and the rest of the Commission members is available at Commission Members. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
Matter of Walter W. Hafner, Jr.
The Commission has determined that Walter W. Hafner, a Judge of the Oswego County Court, should be admonished. The Commission's decision dated August 29, 2016, is available at Hafner Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
The Commission has released a decision dated August 15, 2016, that Philipstown Town Court and Acting Cold Spring Village Court Justice Alan F. Steiner (Putnam County) has resigned from office and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Steiner Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
The Commission has released a decision dated August 15, 2016, that Albany City Court Judge Thomas K. Keefe (Albany County) has resigned from office and agreed never to seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Keefe Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2016 Releases.
The Commission has made public a stipulation that includes formal charges against Michael R. Clark, a Justice of the Hastings Town Court, Oswego County.
Judge Clark had agreed on February 24, 2015, in writing, to "vacate his judicial office on May 31, 2015" and never to seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future. Judge Clark rescinded his resignation by letter to the town board dated May 12, 2015. Therefore, his February stipulation becomes public, the proceedings against him are revived and the matter will proceed to a hearing before a referee. The stipulation, a decision by the Commission accepting the stipulation and Judge Clark's rescission of the resignation are available here. An accompanying press release is available at 2015 Releases.