Staff Report / March 29, 2026
A state oversight body has determined that a longtime town judge in Canandaigua should be removed from the bench after findings that he engaged in repeated racial misconduct both inside and outside the courtroom. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct concluded that the judge’s behavior violated ethical standards and undermined the integrity expected of the judiciary, citing incidents that occurred in May 2024.
According to the commission’s findings, the judge repeatedly used a racial slur while recounting a personal story to colleagues following court proceedings, an interaction described as unrelated to official duties and inappropriate for someone in his position. Just days later, the judge also made remarks during a case involving a Black defendant that were deemed dismissive and indicative of bias, including suggesting the individual was invoking race unfairly. Investigators determined the comments reflected a broader lack of awareness about the impact of such language and raised concerns about impartiality.
In its decision, the commission emphasized that judges are held to the highest standards of conduct and must avoid even the appearance of prejudice. It concluded that the judge’s actions had irreparably damaged public confidence in his ability to serve fairly, making removal the appropriate outcome. The matter now proceeds through the legal review process, where the state’s highest court will make a final determination on the judge’s status.
