A New York judge has found himself in hot water once again, as Judge Louis P. Violanti of the Lackawanna City Court in Erie County, New York, resigned for a second time amidst accusations of staging a sham proceeding. This time, however, it seems he won’t be making a return to the bench. The scandal unfolded when Violanti allegedly dismissed a traffic charge for an acquaintance in a questionable proceeding back in January 2013.
The story first began in March 2013 when Violanti resigned for the first time, although he left the door open for a potential comeback. Fast forward to August 2024, a new ethics complaint emerged, shedding light on the alleged sham proceeding that had taken place the year before. This time around, Violanti decided to step down for good, agreeing never to return to his judicial duties.
The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct revealed that no prosecutor was present during the proceeding in question, and a police officer had masqueraded as the traffic defendant. As a result, the charge against the acquaintance, who was accused of driving with a suspended vehicle registration, was dismissed based on fictitious evidence. This unethical conduct led to a two-year suspension of Violanti’s law license.
Despite this setback, Violanti was reinstated to practice in March 2016, only to face a new round of accusations in 2024. Robert H. Tembeckjian, the administrator of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, expressed regret that time constraints prevented Violanti’s removal in 2013, as he would have been constitutionally ineligible to return to the bench. Now, after a decade of legal battles and ethical dilemmas, Violanti has opted to permanently depart from his judicial role.
In a statement provided by his lawyer, Rodney O. Personius of Personius Melber, Violanti took responsibility for his actions, acknowledging his poor judgment in handling the traffic citation for a friend. Despite the circumstances surrounding the case, Violanti expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lackawanna community, albeit briefly. However, with the resurfacing of old allegations and the denial of his timeliness objection, Violanti made the difficult decision to step aside for the greater good of the public and his community.
As this chapter of judicial misconduct comes to a close, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and the integrity of the legal system. The case of Judge Louis P. Violanti underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and a commitment to justice in the judiciary.
