LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Embattled Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astacio gave an in-depth, meticulous review of the conditions of the Livingston County Jail. Astacio's nearly 50-minute Facebook Live video has been viewed about 1,400 times and has 65 'reactions.' Astacio has been the epicenter of explosive Rochester media coverage since her arrest for DWI and the massive courtroom and social media fiasco that followed. It is a common … [Read more...]
Mount Morris Judge Resigns to Close Misconduct Investigation
MOUNT MORRIS Town and Village Justice James LaPaiana resigned effective Aug. 31 to close an investigation into judicial conduct. According to a press release from the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, they were investigating complaints that over the past two years, LaPiana: Failed to follow the law when he engaged in extensive ex parte communications with a defendant at arraignment concerning the facts of the case and … [Read more...]
Avon’s Former Court Clerk Jan Cole Runs for Town Justice
AVON – Avon resident and retired court clerk Jan Cole is running for Town Justice. Cole was court clerk for 26 years before retiring and now serves as clerk for several departments within the justice system. "I can switch hats and work as clerk if need be," said Cole. "That's not something anyone walking into this job will know." Cole clerks as need be for the Livingston County Public Defender's Office, Livingston County District … [Read more...]
Livingston County Jail is Home for Rogue Judge Astacio
LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Rochester's criminal judge is taking up residence in Geneseo, at the County Jail. Livingston County Sheriff Thomas Dougherty confirmed that Rochester City Court Judge Leticia Astasio is currently at our county's jail. She is to be held there until further court proceedings out of county. It is a common practice when public officials go into custody to hold them in a neighboring county's jail for the safety of the … [Read more...]
Michalski Runs for Avon Town Justice
AVON – Jeannie Michalski announced her candidacy for Town Justice. She says that her experience as a former Monroe County Prosecutor and former contracting conflict defender for Livingston County would serve her well on the bench. "I've been an attorney for 18 years," said Michalski. "I've prosecuted in town courts and defended clients in both misdemeanor and felony matters. I don't know if an attorney has ever been a Town Justice in … [Read more...]
Cops say Man Robbed Judge’s Family
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – A County Court Judge recused himself from a case where a family member is alleged to have been the victim of theft at the hands of a Bloomfield man in September 2016. Charles Lewis, 34, was arraigned Tuesday on a Grand Jury indictment charging felony Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and misdemeanor Issuing a Bad Check. "I believe that the alleged victim is a blood relative of mine," said Judge Robert Wiggins. "That … [Read more...]
Margaret Linsner Runs for Open Livonia Judge Seat
LIVONIA – A village attorney is throwing her name in the hat for the currently wide-open seat for Livonia Town Justice. Margaret Graff Linsner is campaigning as a write-in candidate for Livonia Town Justice. Incumbent Justice David Mahoney resigned effective Sept. 30, 2016. "I have been interested in the Town Justice position for awhile," said Linsner. "Dave was my friend and colleague. I didn't feel right running against him while he was … [Read more...]
POLL: The Livingston County Judicial Landscape
Our new poll feature has proven quite interesting with the recent results of the Livingston County leaders. Our next poll takes a look back to earlier this year when Kevin Van Allen, former candidate for Livingston County Judge, decided not to force a primary after losing at the Republican Committee meeting. As a result, with no likely Democratic candidates emerging, there will not be a choice for County Judge. Sitting Judges Robert Wiggins … [Read more...]
Incumbent Judges Win Republican Committee Endorsement
LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Incumbent Judges Robert Wiggins and Dennis Cohen have won the formal endorsement by the County Republican Committee for Livingston County Court Judge for the November 2015 election. At the Committee's formal designation and endorsement meeting Thursday night, Republican Committee members nominated and took a vote between candidates Judge Robert Wiggins, Judge Dennis Cohen, and Kevin Van Allen. The final weighted vote … [Read more...]
Early Shots Fired as Judicial Candidates Speak at Mount Morris Sportsman Club
Reading this on your phone or tablet? Download our new app on Google Play and the Apple store. MOUNT MORRIS – Candidates for Livingston County Court Judge and state Supreme Court Judge met and addressed the Mount Morris Sportsman Club Tuesday night during the club's regular 7 p.m. meeting. After the club took care of regular business, Marjorie Burns, court attorney for Judge Dennis Cohen, introduced the candidates for county judge, … [Read more...]