In its July 23 edition, the NYLJ reported on the demotion and disciplinary action by the Office of Court Administration (“OCA”) leveled against my client, elected Supreme Court Justice Armando Montano. That article mirrored an article previously published in the New York Post. Thereafter, at Justice Montano’s request, the NYLJ published a follow up article that broadened the record of his treatment. However, that article omitted significant facts and points of law that support Justice Montano’s decision to stand up for his rights, including an insistence upon due process and his right to be treated with dignity and respect.
To the point, Justice Montano declined to accept the demotion after OCA’s Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, George J. Silver, halted all negotiations with his threat to Justice Montano that his failure to accept the lesser assignment would result in the rejection of Justice Montano’s application for certification. Thereafter, Administrative Judge Robert Torres ordered Justice Montano to abandon his chambers within 24 hours , i.e. the end of business on Thursday July 19, 2018 and prohibiting his return to the courthouse except in the capacity of a visitor without personal security.
