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Saugerties the town justice Claudia Andreassen has resigned as of September 30, midway thru her time period, following a two-year investigation through the New York State Fee on Judicial Habits. In her settlement, she stipulates that she’s going to neither run for nor settle for any judicial appointment.
Particularly, the fee charged:
– Andreassen’s “dating with the Saugerties Police Division was once every now and then opposed”
– She was once discourteous and made disrespectful feedback towards court docket body of workers and court docket spectators.
– She tried to effectuate sure staffing selections with out involving her co-judge or the city board.
– She violated prohibitions on marketing campaign task through judges, and
– She didn’t deal with skilled competence within the legislation.
“Judges are obliged to be competent within the legislation, to be and seem truthful within the management of justice, and to be courteous towards all with whom they deal in an professional capability,” mentioned a liberate from the Fee on Judicial Habits in a press liberate. The more than one proceedings had been critical, “and her everlasting departure from the bench was once suitable.”
In a remark, Andreassen denied wrongdoing and stated she was once resigning to steer clear of the expense and inconvenience of extended litigation. “I will not financially or emotionally have enough money to combat the consistent attack of my detractors, who regularly report unending and frequently fabricated allegations in opposition to me.”
Andreassen mentioned that she confronted “consistent interference and intrusion through the city’s government, legislative our bodies and appointees – all of whom had been making an attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary.” She stated she didn’t have the power “to proper inaccuracies.”
Andreassen was once appointed in 2012 to fill the unexpired time period of the town justice Wendy Ricks, and was once therefore elected to the location in 2016 and 2020. Her time period would have led to 2024.
Andreassen agreed to step down through this Friday, September 30.
Andreassen isn’t an legal professional. Earlier than operating for choose, she labored within the Ulster County Probation Division.
Police leader Joseph Sinagra and Saugerties the town manager Fred Costello each declined remark at the fees in opposition to Andreassen. Costello stated the board would announce the emptiness and be offering “a window for programs.” The city board will interview applicants to come to a decision who will fill the rest of Andreassen’s time period. He anticipated the board to decide on a substitute through Thanksgiving.
Within the period in-between, the town justice Chris Kraft has agreed to care for Andreassen’s circumstances, Costello stated.