Judge found to have presided over judicial matters involving persons with whom he had a “close relationship” removed from office

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Judge found to have presided over judicial matters involvingpersons with whom he had a “close relationship” removed from office
Matter of Young, 2012 NY Slip Op 05089, Court of Appeals
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct sustained sixcharges of misconduct alleged against LafayetteD. Young, Jr., a Justice of the Macomb Town Court, St. Lawrence County, findingthat he had engaged in serious misconduct when he presided over mattersinvolving persons with whom he and his paramour had close relationships. The Commission determined that Judge Young shouldbe removed from his office.*  
The Commission found that “In all cases, but one, [JudgeYoung] neither disqualified himself nor disclosed [his] relationship to the defendantor complaining witness. Additionally, in many of the cases at issue, JudgeYoung’s conduct gave the appearance of favoritism towards the Petrie familydefendant or complaining witness.”
Moreover, the Court of Appeals said that  "ex parte communications with[certain] parties further exacerbated Judge Young's improper conduct as they highlight his closerelationships to the Petrie family and his partiality towards them."

Holding that "Suchconduct demonstrates a misuse of his judicial office and damages publicconfidence in his integrity and impartiality," the Court of Appeals sustained the sanction imposed by the Commission: that Judge Young, removal from his position, as the appropriate penalty under the circumstances.
* See New York Constitution,Article VI, § 22; Judicial Law §44
The decision is posted on the Internet at: http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_05089.htm