A Town of Bethany justice has resigned following a complaint and investigation into alleged sexual harassment of a court clerk.
Judge Joseph Nowakowski was accused of sending unwanted text messages that were unrelated to the clerk's duties, according to a statement issued by the NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The commission statement did not provide details on the content of the messages.
After the clerk reportedly asked Nowakowski to stop sending messages, he allegedly retaliated by seeking her termination as a court employee.
The judge resigned on June 1 as part of an agreement with the commission. Under the agreement, Nowakowski is barred from ever again serving in any judicial capacity.
Nowakowski, who is not an attorney, became a judge in 2022, and his term was set to expire in 2025.
The commission received a complaint about Nowakowski in February.
Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian made the following statement: “There is no place for sexual harassment in the courts, particularly among the judiciary, who must set and exemplify the highest standards of conduct for all to emulate. The Commission considers such matters seriously and takes action as appropriate and necessary.”
