ALBANY (AP) — The Commission on Judicial Conduct says a Cattaraugus County judge deserves censure for declining to preside in cases involving the law firms of New York legislators as a pressure tactic to help judges get a pay raise.
The commission says Hon. Larry Himelein acknowledged that the tactic was wrong, but initially maintained that removing himself from the cases was required because of pending lawsuits filed by judges against the Legislature.
Himelein disqualified himself in 11 cases. He also sent e-mails urging other judges to do the same. Judges have gone a decade without a raise and several are suing in cases at the Court of Appeals in January.
Terrence Connors, Himelein’s lawyer, said Dec. 28 that the judge’s comments came from frustration.