Justice Resigns

A New York Town Court Justice has resigned from office.

From the stipulation with the Commission on Judicial Conduct

Judge Chamberlain was apprised by the Commission in March 2019 and October 2019 that it was investigating several complaints alleging that, over a two-year period beginning in October 2017, he:

A. failed to enforce a town ordinance regulating storage of “junk” on residential properties;

B. failed to properly inform a defendant during an arraignment of his due process rights, as set forth in Section 170.10 of the Criminal Procedure Law; and

C. sent a letter to the editor of a local paper in October 2018, in which he:

1. made statements that were political and partisan in nature;

11. criticized public officials and town residents concerning a matter of local controversy; and

111. criticized a range of executive decisions and policies of Governor Andrew Cuomo, whom he described as “corrupt,” at a time when Governor Cuomo was running for re-election.

Judge Chamberlain has tendered his resignation by letter dated November 6, 2019, a copy of which is annexed as Exhibit 1. Judge Chamberlain affirms that he vacated judicial office as of November 6, 2019.

(Mike Frisch)