On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct announced that Town Court Justice Daniel L. Furney of Oneida County resigned amidst an investigation into his conduct. The investigation centered around allegations that Furney drove with a suspended license and improperly invoked his judicial title during interactions with law enforcement.
The Commission had notified Judge Furney in November 2025 about the investigation, which stemmed from a complaint alleging he operated a motor vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended. The complaint also cited two instances where Furney gratuitously referenced his judicial position during encounters with police, once during a traffic stop and another in a parking lot.
Judge Furney was initially scheduled to appear before the Commission on February 3, 2026, to provide testimony regarding the matter. However, he instead resigned, effective January 30, 2026. As part of his resignation, Furney agreed to never seek or accept judicial office in the future. The Commission accepted a stipulation to that effect, which was signed by Furney, his legal counsel, and the Commission’s Administrator.
Furney also waived the statutory confidentiality provisions typically applied to Commission proceedings, allowing the stipulation and the Commission’s order accepting his resignation to be made public. The stipulation was signed on January 29 and accepted by the Commission on February 2, 2026.
Judge Furney, who is not an attorney, has served as a Justice of the Lee Town Court since 2010. His term would have expired on December 31, 2029.
Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian issued a statement emphasizing the importance of judicial integrity. He stated that judges must uphold public confidence in the judiciary by respecting the law and avoiding the misuse of their title. Tembeckjian asserted that driving with a suspended license and inappropriately referencing one’s judgeship during encounters with police is inconsistent with these standards.
A copy of the news release can be found here.
