The Court of Appeals yesterday suspended with pay a 78-year-old non-attorney town justice targeted for removal in a ticket-fixing matter. Middletown Town Justice Glen George in Delaware County is challenging a determination of the Commission on Judicial Conduct that he should be removed for fixing a ticket for a friend despite a prior warning against presiding over cases involving acquaintances (NYLJ, May 10). Earlier this month, the commission issued a divided opinion concluding that George, a judge for nearly 30 years, is unfit for judicial office.
Records show that George, a retired state trooper whose term expires this year, dismissed a seat-belt violation ticket issued to a friend, even though he had previously been cautioned. Also, the commission found that George made improper statements to a prospective litigant in another case, discouraging the individual from pursuing a small claims action against a longtime resident. Yesterday, the Court of Appeals suspended George with pay, pending his appeal.
