Two Judges Resign In New York
The New York Commission on Judicial Conduct accepted the resignations of two judges
Family Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice Michael L. Hanuszczak (Onondaga County) has resigned, after (1) being charged by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct with uninvited, unwelcome kissing and otherwise inappropriate behavior toward two female court staff, and (2) a hearing officer sustained the charges. Judge Hanuszczak resigned from office on September 21, 2020, agreeing never to seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future. The Commission accepted a stipulation to that effect signed by the judge and the Commission’s Administrator and closed its formal proceedings…
Conduct as to “Name 1”
o Grabbing her shoulders and kissing her twice without her consent;
o Asking if she “kn[e]w how to do a three-way” when she attempted to set up a
conference call;
o On multiple occasions while in court, telling her about his dating life;
o Asking if her husband was out of town and if she would like to meet for dinner to discuss the campaign; and
o Asking her repeatedly to assist on his campaign for Surrogate’s court when she had no interest in doing so.
Conduct as to “Name 2”
o On two separate occasions kissing her without her consent;
o Telling her he would have been interested in dating her had he known she was single (upon hearing she was engaged to be married); and,
o Years later telling her he remained interested in dating her, and asking if she would be interested in dating him, while cautioning that any relationship would need to be discreet.
…Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian made the following statement.
“The relationship between judge and court staff is not equal. The power inherent in judicial office must not be exploited for personal purposes. Obviously, a judge should not initiate unwelcome kissing of court staff or propose ‘discreet’ dating to a subordinate. Had he not resigned, my office would have recommended Judge Hanuszczak’s removal for such disreputable behavior.”
Syracuse.com reported on the proceedings
The order is linked here.
Ambrose P. Madden, a Justice of the Fenton Town Court, Broome County, resigned while under investigation by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and conducting ex parte proceedings with juveniles from a local youth home, in the absence of their counsel, and threatening them with jail time. Judge Madden, who left office on August 16, 2020, agreed never to seek or accept judicial office at any time in the future. The Commission accepted a stipulation to that effect signed by the judge, his attorney and the Commission’s Administrator and closed its investigation…
Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian made the following statement. “A judge must know better than to conduct proceedings and threaten juveniles with jail in the absence of their lawyers. A judge must also be patient, dignified and courteous with all who work or have business in the court. That Judge Madden chose to resign, permanently, rather than answer inquiries about such matters, speaks for itself.”
The order is linked here.