The Matter of Hon. Robert J. Putorti, a Justice of the Whitehall Town and Village Courts

Summary

The Court of Appeals independently reviewed the record and sustained the Commission's findings that Justice Putorti committed judicial misconduct by brandishing a loaded firearm at an unthreatening litigant, repeatedly invoking the litigant's race in a manner creating or manifesting racial bias, and improperly promoting fundraising through social media. The court held that the combined misconduct was truly egregious and warranted removal because it demonstrated unfitness for judicial office and undermined public confidence. The court also rejected Putorti's procedural challenge to the Commission's investigation.