The New York Commission on Judicial Conduct has entered an order concerning a convicted judge based on a stipulation

On October 11, 2019, the Court of Appeals suspended Sylvia Ash, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, with pay, following her arrest pursuant to a complaint dated October 4, 2019, brought by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. On October 29, 2019, the Court issued a decision continuing the suspension with pay. 

On December 13, 2021, Judge Ash was convicted in federal court of conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice, and making a false statement to a federal agent. Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2022.

On December 15, 2021 the Court of Appeals invited comment from Judge Ash and the Commission on whether the judge’s suspension should be continued and whether such suspension should be with or without pay. By letters dated December 21, 2021 and December 22, 2021, respectively, the Commission recommended that in light of the judge’s conviction the suspension be continued and that it be without pay, and Judge Ash took no position. On January 5, 2022, the Court continued Judge Ash’s suspension without pay.

The Daily News reported

Ash, 64, was charged in 2019 and convicted in December of obstruction of justice for wiping text messages and other evidence from her phone after learning that the feds were probing corruption at the Municipal Credit Union. The judge served as the chairwoman of the MCU board of directors.

The former judge was convicted of helping former MCU CEO Kam Wong evade a federal investigation into his embezzlement of $10 million from the credit union. Wong is serving 5½ years in prison for the scheme.

(Mike Frisch)