Triangulation

The New York Commission on Judicial Conduct describes a recent resignation

John P. Orzel, a Justice of the Triangle Town Court, Broome County – who among other things was formally charged by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct for repeatedly poking a female clerk on the shoulder during an argument he initiated – has agreed to leave office and never return.

In September 2023, Judge Orzel was served with a Formal Written Complaint, alleging that he:

1. Initiated a public argument in the courtroom with a female clerk from the Broome County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) who was operating a DMV mobile office in the courtroom;
2. Made inappropriate, unwanted physical contact with the clerk by repeatedly poking her on her left shoulder with his finger; and
3. Made snide and/or otherwise discourteous remarks to her before complaining about her to her supervisors.

Judge Orzel waived the statutory provision of confidentiality applicable to Commission proceedings, to the limited extent that the stipulation and the Commission’s order accepting it would be public.

Judge Orzel, who is not an attorney, has served as a Justice of the Triangle Town Court since 2018. His current term would have expired on December 31, 2025. The stipulation can be found on the Commission’s website: www.cjc.ny.gov.

(Mike Frisch)