New York – A Manhattan Criminal Court judge resigned last week after court officials discovered what may have been pornography on his work computer, according to law enforcement officials.
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Court officials turned over the evidence to the Manhattan district attorney’s office. Its discovery on the computer of the judge, James D. Gibbons, came as part of routine monitoring of courthouse personnel, said one of the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing.
Judge Gibbons could not be reached for comment on Thursday evening.
The judge did not give a reason in his resignation letter for leaving, said David Bookstaver, a spokesman for the Office of Court Administration.
Mr. Bookstaver would not say whether there was an investigation into Judge Gibbons, but he said, “If we become aware of a possible criminal act, we refer such matters to the appropriate law enforcement authority.”
Erin M. Duggan, the communications director for the Manhattan district attorney’s office, declined to comment.
The news came as a shock to those who know Judge Gibbons, 47. They described him as one of the most intelligent judges in Manhattan Criminal Court.
After spending 13 years in the Manhattan district attorney’s office, he was appointed to the bench in 2001 by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. Judge Gibbons graduated from Harvard Law School in 1987.
One colleague said he had the air of a United States Supreme Court justice and could easily rattle off legal decisions.
Judge Gibbons has presided over several high-profile cases. He presided over a hearing in 2008 in which David Tarloff, who was charged with the murder of an Upper East Side psychologist, was declared fit to stand trial.
He also enjoyed a good reputation on the bench after his December 2001 appointment by departing Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“He was a very careful judge on the law,” lawyer Adam Freedman said. “If he was using his state-issued computer for illegal activities, it would be uncharacteristic, considering how careful he is on the law.”
They’re all hypocrites living double lives. (Doesn’t he look like spitzer?)
Why does VIN have to post this article??? Does the heimishe oilem have to read this???
One mistake doesn’t make him a bad person. If he is a good judge, keep him.
dear number 2.. it is unfortunate that this is posted on this site but what is even more unfortunate is that it does belong here. Too many need to be reminded that there is no such thing as a secret in this world. Soif kol soif all gets uncovered. To all those quiet folks who believe they are tzaddikim please do not be fooled. Unfortunately I know people (still respected by many) that I can no longer look in the eye. I try to avoid them when I see them as their “other side” has been revealed to me and I wish they would realize how pathetic they are.
Yes, it is true that temptation is strong in this day and age but we are HUMANS not animals and are given seichel and a Torah to live by..
Look at this story .. a highly respected man falls all the way down simply because he “felt” like a little enjoyment. I wonder if he still thinks it was enjoyable????
So yes, it is sad to have stuff like this posted but even sadder that it belongs here too.
Should have had Net Chaver.
Such a seemingly respectable judge would have been given the benefit of the doubt. The mere fact that it was discovered on his computer, by itself would not have been strong enough evidence that he is guilty of this severe misdemeanor (or felony). His computer could have been hacked by someone who had a grudge against the judge. But by resigning and running away he proved that he was guilty!