New Commission Member Appointed
Nina M. Moore has been appointed to the Commission by Governor Kathy Hochul, for a four-year term ending March 31, 2027. Biographical information on Dr. Moore and the rest of the Commission members is available at Commission Members. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Jill R. Epstein
The Commission determined that Jill R. Epstein, a Judge of the New York City Civil Court, Kings County, should be admonished. The Commission's decision dated August 14, 2023, is available at Epstein Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Jennifer R. Nunnery
The Commission determined that Jennifer R. Nunnery, a Justice of the Darien Town Court, Genesee County, should be censured. The Commission's decision dated August 9, 2023, is available at Nunnery Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Corrie A. Damulis
The Commission has released a decision dated July 20, 2023, that Corrie A. Damulis, a Justice of the Burlington Town Court, Otsego County, has resigned from office and agreed to never seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Damulis Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Scott B. Ugell
The Commission has released a decision dated June 1, 2023, that Scott B. Ugell, a Justice of the Clarkstown Town Court, Rockland County, has resigned from office and agreed to never seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Ugell Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Richard F. Olcott
The Commission determined that Richard F. Olcott, a Justice of the Elizabethtown Town Court, Essex County, should be censured. The Commission's decision dated May 16, 2023, is available at Olcott Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Pending Legislation
Legislation has been introduced to amend certain provisions of the Judiciary Law pertaining to the operations of the Commission on Judicial Conduct, consistent with recommendations the Commission itself has advocated since its inception in 1978. More information, including links to the language and status of the bills, is available at Pending Legislation.
Matter of David A. Rikard
The Commission has released a decision dated April 20, 2023, that David A. Rikard, a Justice of the Prattsville Town Court, Greene County, has resigned from office and agreed to never seek or accept judicial office in the future. The decision is available at Rikard Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2023 Releases.
Matter of Robert J. Putorti
The Commission has determined that Robert J. Putorti, a Justice of the Whitehall Town and Village Courts, Washington County, should be removed from office. The Commission's decision dated September 9, 2022, is available at Putorti Decision. An accompanying press release is available at 2022 Releases.
Judge Putorti has requested review of the Commission's determination in the Court of Appeals, which has scheduled Oral Argument for September 12, 2023.
The Court of Appeals suspended Judge Putorti, with pay, pending review of the Commission's determination. The Court's order is available at Putorti Suspension.