State Court Upholds Removal Of Longtime Spring Valley, Ramapo Judge

RAMAPO, N.Y. -- An appeal from Judge Alan Simon that he remain on the bench in Ramapo and Spring Valley was rejected by New York's Court of Appeals, upholding a state commission finding that he lacks fitness to serve as a judge.

New York's top court agreed with a state commission recommendation that Alan Simon be removed as judge in Ramapo and Spring Valley.
Photo Credit: *File*

Amy Maciaszek

10/22/2016 11:30 a.m.

New York's top court sided with the state Commission on Judicial Conduct, which brought six charges of misconduct against Simon for inappropriate behavior in court. The commission also recommended that he be removed from the bench.

Simon said through his attorney that he concedes his misconduct and asked for sanctions instead of removal, according to the court's written decision. The court said his behavior, including yelling at attorneys and a physical altercation with a student worker, qualified as "truly egregious" and warranted removal.

"The record is also replete with instances in which petitioner used his office and standing as a platform from which to bully and intimidate," the decision reads. The court determined that the behavior would likely continue if he remained on the bench.

Simon, 72, a former Ramapo town attorney, public defender and prosecutor, stands to lose the $120,000 salary and benefits. Officials in Ramapo and Spring Valley have not replaced him yet, according to lohud.com.

Click here to read lohud.com article.

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