Erin Gall appeals the decision to disbar her from the New York State Supreme Court
New York State Supreme Court Justice Erin Gall has appealed the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct’s decision to remove her from office.
In a letter from her attorney, received by the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct on August 19, Robert Julian writes:
“Please note that I am representing the Honorable Erin P. Gall, Justice of the Supreme Court. Pursuant to Judiciary Act 44(7), we do not accept the decision of the Commission on Judicial Conduct and seek review by the Court of Appeals.”
Judiciary Act 44(7) states: “After a hearing, the Commission may decide that a judge shall be admonished, reprimanded, dismissed or retired… The judge concerned may either accept the decision of the Commission or, within thirty days of receipt of the decision, apply in writing to the Presiding Judge for review by the Court of Appeal.”
Gall was suspended before the decision.
Reason for removal
The decision followed a July 2022 incident in which Gall invoked her judicial authority during a confrontation with police that occurred at a July 2022 party in New Hartford, according to the Commission on Judicial Conduct, which recommended her dismissal.
The commission called for its dissolution due to a “racially offensive, blasphemous and prolonged public tirade in the outdoor area of a high school graduation ceremony.”
She also called on police to arrest black teenagers suspected of being involved, insulted their intelligence by saying, “I’m sure they won’t go to business school,” and threatened to shoot them if they entered her property.
Gall had “repeatedly violated the ethical rules that prohibit judges from using the reputation of their judicial office to advance their own private interests or the interests of others,” the commission found.
Gall told the commission she reacted emotionally because both her son and husband, who had tried to intervene, became involved in the fight. She said she was also frustrated because she felt the police response was inadequate.
